Edwardsville, Pa., —Is there any way to end the season better than by beating your hated crosstown rival? King’s accomplished the feat today and by doing so they have taken the last two Mayors Cups from Wilkes.
King’s dominated the ground game outrushing Wilkes 211 to 71. The rushing attack was helped out by a 4th down fake punt which saw Pat Robinson go for 57 yards. He finished the day with 137 yards and a score. Alongside him was the senior, Kyle McGrath. McGrath who played his last game in red and gold found the end zone once and rushed for 68 yards.
It was the same old story for Dan Kempa. The kid has turned into a scoring machine. Late in the first half, he beat the corner on a go route and found the end zone. Kempa has put together a solid senior year and has lived up to his preseason All American standards.
It is hard for me to judge quarterback Tyler Hartranft on his day because just like most of the season, he was under duress. Hartranft was sacked five times and rarely had a clean pocket to throw from. He did throw a touchdown but only finished with 12 of 27 passing.
The offensive line has been a problem all year, but has been bailed out by the tough running style of Kyle McGrath who loves contact. The O-line finished the year allowing 31 sacks. That is a number that will have to drastically change if the Monarchs look to have a winning season next year.
The King’s defense allowed 21 points today but played much better than that. Linebacker Bobby Russell does not get the credit he deserves. Russell, who seems to lead the team in tackles every game racked up 13 today.
Fellow underclassman Hassain Maxwell has also put together a very productive season. The freshman backer had six tackles today.
Russell and Maxwell together is a deadly tandem and will have opposing running backs scampering the other way. I am very intrigued for what those two have in store for us for the next few years.
4-6 may not the way Coach Knarr anticipated his season to end but he does have many things to look forward too.
Vito Malacari covers King’s sports for WRKC Digital, follow him on Twitter @VitoMalacari23 or email him at VitoMalacari841@Kings.edu