(box score)
Sophomore Chris Haupt (Bloomsburg, PA) threw four touchdown passes, including three to junior Cedrick Clayton (Cinnaminson, NJ) in Widener's 36-21 Middle Atlantic Conference victory at King's in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
Widener (3-2, 2-0 MAC) took advantage of a 39-yard drive in only four plays to grab a 7-0 lead with 10:25 left in the first half. Haupt lofted a perfect fade pass to Clayton, who tapped down near the back of the end zone. Junior Matt Breslin (Sugarloaf, PA) added the extra point.
Haupt and Clayton connected again following a turnover. Haupt fired a pass over the middle that Clayton hauled in and outraced the defense for a 35-yard scamper with 5:46 to play in the half and a 14-0 lead.
That drive started at the Monarchs 38 yard line after senior Shane Szumski (Moorestown, NJ) forced running back Eric Ofcharsky to fumble and senior Greg Walsh (Hatfield, PA) recovered.
King's halved the deficit on its next possession. Corey Lavin stepped back and hit Jay Torres on a 59-yard touchdown reception with 4:10 left in the second quarter for a 14-7 contest.
The Monarchs (0-5, 0-2) on the first drive of the second half looked in great shape when Ofcharsky dashed 51 yards to the Pride 34 yard line. They also used a 28-yard pass from Lavin to David Abdalla to create a first and goal at the six.
But on fourth down at the one, senior linebacker Joe Favinger (Mohnton, PA) had other ideas by stopping Ofcharshy on a pitch for a two-yard loss.
King's would not be upset for long. With Widener backed up forced to punt, junior Kevin Huelster (Mount Laurel, NJ) had his boot blocked by Eris Crisman which Edwyn Edwards recovered in the end zone with 9:14 left in the third quarter for a 14-14 tie.
The Pride's offense quickly got in gear on the next drive, especially when Haupt bolted 47 yards to the Monarchs 12 yard line. Haupt and Clayton once again ended the march, this time on a six-yard connection in which the latter made a great diving catch for a 21-14 contest with 5:57 left.
King's tried a fake punt deep from its own 21 yard line late in the third quarter, but junior Brad Waltman (Belair, MD) was there to break up a pass from Mike Schifalacqua intended for Paul Chiorazzi.
Widener on the first play of the fourth quarter turned in its own blocked punt for a touchdown. Sophomore James Showell (Millsboro, DE) swated Schifalacqua's punt and freshman Courtland Bragg (Sicklerville, NJ) recovered for a score. Breslin's fourth extra point gave Widener a 28-14 lead.
The Monarchs closed to 28-21 with 9:34 remaining when Lavin hit Glenn Ford in the back of the end zone on a nine-yard touchdown pass.
Haupt got his fourth touchdown with 2:14 left, hitting senior Adam Smith (Littlestown, PA) on a nine-yard pass for a 34-21 contest. Sophomore Joe Wojceichowski (Riverside, NJ) sacked Lavin for a safety with 1:44 left for the final.
Haupt completed 16-of-31 passes for 169 yards and Clayton notched seven receptions for 97 yards for Widener, which overcame a 365-313 deficit in total offense. Junior Dan Cosenza (Hamilton, NJ) and freshman Laquan Robinson (Chester, PA) had seven tackles apiece.
Lavin completed 25-of-49 passes for 303 yards and Abdalla had seven catches for 106 yards for the Monarchs. Ryan Kelly ended with 13 tackles.
Widener next Saturday visits Lycoming for a 1:30 pm start in Williamsport, PA.
