LHU football falls to ESU in 2021 home-opener, 45-21
LOCK HAVEN, PA – After opening the 2021 season with three straight games away from home, the Lock Haven University football team (1-3, 0-1 PSAC East) made its long-awaited Hubert Jack Stadium debut Saturday night, but visiting East Stroudsburg University (3-1, 1-0 PSAC East) used a strong second-half to down LHU, 45-21.
The game marked the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division opener for both teams.
Behind three first-half rushing touchdowns, the upset-minded Bald Eagles trailed ESU, 31-21 at halftime. The Warriors however used two fourth-quarter touchdowns to the secure the win, spoiling Lock Haven’s 2021 home-opener.
ESU led 14-0, but Lock Haven cut the lead in half when Ethan Persa’s (Schnecksville, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) quarterback-keeper to the right found the end zone from two yards out. The TD capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive that took 5:36 off the clock.
Dante Graham (West Chester, Pa./Unionville) ran for two touchdowns in the second quarter. His 22-yard TD-run came with 7:17 left in the half and he scored from two yards out with no time remaining in the half to make it 31-21 at the break.
Graham finished with 48 yards on the ground and the two scores, while DeAndre Wakefield (Norristown, Pa./Souderton) added 34 yards on eight carries. Persa was 11-for-25 passing for 165 yards.
Dymeir Still (Glassboro, N.J./Glassboro(Alderson-Broaddus) provided a spark on special teams with several strong kick returns. On five kick-off returns he racked up 140 yards, which included a 46-yarder. Still also carried the ball six times for 32 yards.
Justin White (Philadelphia/Ben Franklin) had four catches for 83 yards and Chris Hicks (Stafford, Va./North Stafford) pulled in four catches (59 yards) as well.
Shane Scott (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape) led The Haven’s defensive effort with 13 tackles. Jamie Rodriguez-Vega (Lancaster, Pa./McCaskey), Austin Barber (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown) and Kahari Kirklin-Whitfield (Reading, Pa./Reading) each finished with five tackles apiece.
East Stroudsburg was led by quarterback Matt DeLaurentis who threw for 276 yards and four TDs.
The Bald Eagles will return to the road as they head to Millersville University for Week-5 action next Saturday, Oct. 2. The PSAC East clash is set for a noon start.
