Monarchs opener ends in heartbreaking loss

WAYNE, N.J. – King's outplayed William Paterson in nearly every aspect on Saturday's season opener.

The Monarchs posted more rushing yards, total yards and first downs then the Pioneers, but they still fell short dropping a heart-breaking 9-3 victory when the Pioneers struck on a 26-yard touchdown pass with just 8 seconds remaining in the game.

King's evened the game at 3-3 with 5:19 left in the third quarter on a 20-yard field goal by Lance Williams after getting a first-and-goal on the Pioneers 6-yard line before stalling on the 4. The Monarchs put together another long drive in the fourth quarter with the game tied at 3-3. They put together a 12-play, 7 minute, 43 second drive, but only moved 26 yards. A 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty negated a 12-yard run by quarterback Bryant Klein. The drive only moved the ball to the King's 46 before the Monarchs had to punt.

King's got a stellar rushing effort from Kyle McGrath, who picked up 108 yards on 27 carries. Klein rushed for 17 yards and passed for 43 yards going 5-of-8. Tyler Hartranft also saw time at quarterback and was 7-of-16 for 96 yards with an interception.

Jake Ksiazwewicz helped the Monarchs defense with two sacks and six tackles.

William Paterson 9, King's 3

Second Quarter

WP – Sinegra 38 field goal :00

Third Quarter

KING'S – Williams 20 field goal 5:19

Fourth Quarter

WP – Davis 26 pass from Gresik (kick failed) :08

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – KING'S, Goimbert 5-30, Hartranft 3-5, Williams 2-7, Klein 7-17, McGrath 27-108; WP, Gresik 5-14, Dabney 3-(minus-2), Jlaka 3-13, German 15-79

PASSING – KING'S, Hartranft 7-16-96-1, Klein 5-8-43-0; WP, Gresik 15-27-147-0

RECEIVING – KING'S, Buford 3-24, Sanders 1-17, Mitchell 1-13, Goimbert 1-5, Kempa 2-23, Duncan 2-33, Henry 1-17, Richelmi 1-7; WP, Winfield 3-45, Price 1-5, Frazier 1-6, Vannucci 1-8, Jlaka 1-5, German 2-6, Cordato 2-17, PAye 3-29, Davis 1-26

INTERCEPTIONS – WP, Cooper