CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu or 518-629-7898/518-416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021
HVCC Football Wins Season Opener in First Action Since 2019
LANCASTER, PA – The Hudson Valley Community College football program won their 2021 season opener 12-6 on the road against Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology on Saturday afternoon in Lancaster, Penn.
In the program's first regular season game action since Nov. 2, 2019 when they defeated Navy Prep 8-7 for their second straight win and clinched a winning record for the year. Despite the canceled 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vikings picked up where they left off and have now won three straight games, dating back to the 2019 season.
The Vikings were led by running back Desi Floyd, one of their six returners from the 2019 team, and ran for a game-high 105 rushing yards on 29 carries (3.9 YPC) against a tough Thaddeus Stevens program. Floyd and the Vikings took advantage of excellent field position as a result of the defense pinning the Bulldogs deep into their own zone, forcing a punt from the back of their own end zone. The resulting 18-yard punt gave Hudson Valley prime field position at the Bulldog's 23-yard line. Floyd rushed for 20 yards on five carries to put the Vikings on the board 6-0 following his 1-yard score.
The game remained 6-0 in favor of the Vikings for the remainder of the first half and the third quarter. As the start of the fourth, the Vikings optioned for play-action to go up two scores on the Bulldogs when Jordan Moran found a wide-open Omari Hopkins down the right side of the field for the easy touchdown and the Vikings went up 12-0.
Thaddeus Stevens kept fighting and put the Vikings defense on their heels for the first time all game as they marched 91-yards down the field for the score, highlighted by their 46-yard touchdown pass with 2:33 remaining in the game. The Vikings defense gave up 178 total yards (82 passing/96 rushing).
Hudson Valley moves on and begins preparations for their Sept. 11 home opener against Nassau, the top-ranked team in the NJCAA Division III preseason rankings. The home opener will serve as the Vikings 3rdAnnual Military Appreciation Day.
A Veteran Appreciation Luncheon from 12:30 - 2 p.m. will be held for all active military personnel, veterans and their families prior to the start of the game. The luncheon BBQ, catered by Troy's Dinosaur BBQ, will take place under the Joe Bruno Stadium Pavilion, located adjacent to the Outdoor Athletic Complex and the football field.
All Veterans must pre-register using the link below (HVCCAthletics.com) or by calling the VET-ROC office at (518) 629-7529, as well as show documentation that verifies their Veteran/Military status upon arrival at the game.
Registration link: https://hvcc.prestosports.com/information/MilitaryApprectiation2021