LHU Football drops Homecoming Game, 63-14
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University football team (1-3, 0-1 PSAC East) fell to visiting East Stroudsburg University (4-0, 1-0 PSAC East), 63-14 at Hubert Jack Stadium.
The Saturday game marked the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East opener for both teams and LHU’s loss spoiled the Bald Eagles 2019 Homecoming festivities.
Preseason All-American tight end Jalen Jackson (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) and sophomore running back Dante Graham (Glen Mills, Pa./Unionville) provided offensive highlights on the day for Lock Haven.
Jackson hauled in a 26-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter and Graham scored on a 1-yard run in the third. Jackson continued to impress and finished with 90 yards on four catches. Graham was a big spark in the run-game and ran for a team-best 55 yards on 11 carries.
Starting-quarterback Kyle Knight (Myerstown, Pa./Eastern Lebanon) threw for 147 yards and in the Bald Eagle’s two-QB system Ethan Persa (Schnecksville, Pa./Allentown Central) added 96 passing yards. Persa threw the TD-pass to Jackson.
Bryan Greene (Milesburg, Pa./Bald Eagle) hauled in four catches for 78 yards and Chantz Swartz (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata) added 53 rushing yards.
Austin Barber (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown) made a game-high seven tackles to lead the defense. Alex Welch (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville) was one of three players with six tackles. Malik Malloy (Washington, D.C./McKinley Tech) had six stops and 2.5 tackles-for-loss and Kahari Whitfield (Reading, Pa./Reading) made six tackles.
Defensive back Levi Engle (Honey Brook, Pa./Twin Valley) had an interception and two breakups.
ESU led 42-7 at halftime and the Warriors were powered by quarterback Jake Crillo who threw for 280 yards and five TDs.
It will be a quick turnaround for the Bald Eagles.
Lock Haven will host Shepherd on Thursday, October 3 at 6 p.m. This season marks Shepherd’s first as a member of the PSAC and therefore it will be the first ever meeting between Lock Haven and Shepherd as PSAC East Divisional foes. Shepherd is 2-2 on the season after a 34-27 home field homecoming loss to Kutztown on Saturday.
