It was quick, and it happened in a flash. It took all of 13 seconds before Widener was on the board.
Quarterback, Seth Klein, read the defense and aired out a 58-yard touchdown pass to Montrell Hicks-Taylor on the first play of the game, and Widener never looked back. The No. 11 Pride went on to win Saturday’s contest, 55-6, dropping the Monarchs to 3-6.
Widener racked up 525 yards of total offense on a very balanced attack. Klein passed for 291 yards on an efficient 14-21, spreading the wealth out to 10 different receivers. Chris Wickes lead the rushing attack with 59 yards and two stops to the end zone.
King’s, in large part, played very one-dimensional. Running back Kyle McGrath found it very difficult to find holes behind his underachieving offensive line. The senior, who is coming of a stellar performance last week against Delaware Valley, was only able to run the ball for 37 yards.
Tyler Hartranft threw the ball for 278 yards and one score, but was picked off twice, one going the distance for a Pride touchdown. He was also sacked five times in the losing effort.
It was the last time the Monarchs seniors will play a game at McCarthy Stadium, a day that preseason All-American Dan Kempa won’t forget following a shoulder injury that sidelined him for part of the game.
Coach Knarr was not sure about the extent of Kempa’s injury. “I don’t know” Knarr said, but he did add that it was a good sign to see the senior participate on the activities after the game with his fellow upperclassmen.
“They really are the soul of our program” is what Knarr said about his entire senior class.
Knarr continued saying that Widener was by far the best team his squad has seen all year.
“I think they are the prohibited favorite,” Knarr said about Widener’s tough matchup against Del-Val next week.
King’s will take on crosstown rival Wilkes next week for the Mayors Cup at 12 p.m. at Wilkes. Wilkes is 2-7 on the year, so this year’s games only implication will be which rival school wants it more.
Vito Malacari covers King’s sports for WRKC Digital, follow him on Twitter @VitoMalacari23 or email him at VitoMalacari841@Kings.edu