10/13/23

SCRANTON, Pa. -- Lackawanna College football will be playing its seventh straight game when it hosts Hocking College for a match-up on Homecoming Weekend in the Electric City!

Kickoff between the two squads is set for a 1:00pm ET start at PenFed Field at Scranton's Memorial Stadium in Scranton. The game will have a video livestream available via the Lackawanna College Athletics Network HERE. Sports Information Director Tom Ferguson will handle the play-by-play duties, while Assistant Athletic Director Josh Pardini will provide the color commentary. Pre-game, the Falcons will be honoring their previous College President, Colonel Mark Volk, with a presentation at midfield. Colonel Volk served the College for 16 years, from 2004 to 2020, where he spent half his time as the Executive Vice President, before taking over as the President of Lackawanna College in 2012. Volk, a distinguished Army veteran, oversaw tremendous growth at Lackawanna College in his time in charge, including the addition of the College's first Bachelor's degrees, the beginning of the College's first online courses and degrees, the addition of satellite campuses and centers, and the growth of enrollment by nearly 25% over his final three years. Colonel Volk was known across the Lackawanna community as a person of unimpeachable integrity and character, and as a selfless leader for both students and the staff at Lackawanna College, right up through his departure in 2020, amidst the COVID 19 pandemic. 

The Falcons (5-1) come into the contest on a three-game winning streak, and ranked #11 in the latest NJCAA Division I Football rankings. Lackawanna defeated their rival Monroe College 41-18 last weekend at home, in a game that certainly felt closer than the final score would indicate. Trailing 12-7 late in the first quarter, the Falcons managed to push ahead thanks to a touchdown run from Hamas Duren (Sophomore; Sicklerville, NJ). The Falcons added to their lead with touchdown catches from both Avohn Cross (Sophomore; Philadelphia, PA) and Maxwell James (Sophomore; Burke, VA), plus a pair of field goals from Benjamin Paserk (Sophomore; Batavia, NY)  and an interception return for a touchdown from Terence Folkes (Sophomore; Belleville, NJ). Duren threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns, while Terrez Worthy (Sophomore; Salisbury, MD) led the ground attack with 185 yards. James had four catches for 53 yards and a touchdown, while Robert Rossi (Sophomore; Scranton, PA) added three grabs for 45 yards. Folkes had a team-high eight tackles and a sack, in addition to his touchdown, while Saint McLeod (Sophomore; Philadelphia, PA) added six total tackles, five solos, and Antonio Alfano (Sophomore; Colonia, NJ) had a pair of sacks and three total tackles. Read the full recap HERE.

Hocking (1-6) comes in on a five-game skid, and fell last weekend on the road at Sussex County CC, 38-26. The Hawks struggled the move the ball with consistency, but kept things tight early thanks to some clutch plays. First, it was a blocked punt that set up an early touchdown to give Hocking the lead. Then, trailing 14-6, the Hawks caught a break on a deflected interception near midfield, which led to a touchdown run that cut the deficit to 14-12. Hocking successfully onside kicked to get another possession, but that drive stalled in Sussex territory, and the Skylanders scored on the ensuing possession to push ahead 21-12. Hocking had a drive end at the goal line when the clock ran out on the second quarter, and then had the first drive of the third quarter end with a fumble at the Sussex five-yard line. Still, the Hawks fought back, getting a touchdown to make it 21-18, then another touchdown, plus a two-point conversion, that made it 28-26 early in the fourth quarter. But, Sussex had just enough left, scoring a touchdown on their next possession, then kicking a field goal midway through the fourth, before forcing a Hocking drive to end on a pass break-up in the end zone with under two minutes to play. 

This will be the seventh all-time meeting between Lackawanna College and Hocking. The Falcons lead the series, 6-0, and have outscored Hocking 296-83 in those previous sx match-ups. The last two games have been close, with Hocking scoring more points (47) than the previous four games (36) combined. Last year's contest was a barnburner, with the Falcons overcoming an early deficit to eventually pull away for a 44-30 victory on the road in Nelsonville, OH. This is the first trip to Scranton for Hocking since 2019. The Hawks have not fared well in Scranton, averaging nine points per game in two contests, while giving up 104 points, including 69 in 2019.  

You can read the full games notes for this week's contest HERE.

Lackawanna College is next in action on Saturday, October 21st, when the Falcons are set to host the Connecticut State Wildcats Prep football squad. Kickoff is set for 1:00pm ET at PenFed Field at Scranton's Memorial Stadium.