By BILL ALBRIGHT
EasternPAFootball Senior Writer
LOCK HAVEN — The last time the Lock Haven University football team won a season-opener was 2013 when the Bald Eagles defeated West Virginia State by the final of 31-13.
Hoping to snap that five-game losing skid Thursday night when the Eagles hosted the Lincoln University Lions at Hubert Jack Stadium, they saw their hopes become reality as they silenced the roar of the Lions with a dominating 57-13 win in LH Community Night at the Stadium to go to 1-0 with the solid start.
“I didn’t really like the way we finished some of ourdrives,” said LHU head coach Dave Taynor. “I wanted to slow things down, but it didn’t happen. “We executed well for most of the game and we got a good luck with our quarterback grouping. We have a multitude of good receivers. We started a little slow, but we were able to get a few things rectified and that was good.”
As for the win, Taynor felt it was a very good way to start the season.
“It was a good way to start the season and we got the opportunity to look at a lot of the younger players,” said Taynor. “We made some mistakes, but I was pleased with our groups for the way they meshed.”
The Bald Eagles drew first blood on their initial possession of the game when quarterback Kyle Knight sneaked over from the one, Charles Hayes drilled the PAT for a 7-0 LHU lead.
Lincoln answered the LHU score with a touchdown on a quarterback sneak, but the PAT attempt was blocked by Anthony Barber.
The LHU defense set the Bald Eagles up in business for their second score when Alex Welch (Hughesville) picked off a Lion aerial.
Seven plays later, quarterback Knight hooked up with former Williamsport Millionaire and LHU All-American Jalen Jackson for a 14-yard touchdown, Hayes PAT was good and the Bald Eagles increased their lead to 14-6.
Hayes gave the Bald Eagles three more points when he nailed a 29-yard field 19 seconds into the second period and after a change of possession, Knight hooked up with Chantz Swartz for a 22-yard score and ther Bald Eagle lead ballooned to 24-6.
Again the LHU defense held its ground following the Swartz score and backup quarterback Ethan Persa found Justin White open in the flat and the two connected for a 29-yard catch and run for the score. Hayes’ kick was good and the Eagle lead stood at 31-6 with five minutes left in the first half.
The Bald Eagles closed out their first half scoring with 32 seconds left when Knight fired a bullet to Brian Greene (Bald Eagle
area) for six yards and the score. Hayes adding the PAT.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Bald Eagles recovered a fumble and on the first play, Persa hit Chris Hicks for the score, Hayes made it 45-6 with his sixth PAT of the night and the rout was officially on.
Leading the LHU offense through the airways in the first half was quarterback Kyle Knight who completed 20 of 25 attempts for 291 yards and three scores. Knights favorite targets included Jalen Jackson with 107 yards on five catches for one TD, Camron Alabos with three balls for 66 yards and Brian Greene with seven catches for 65 yards and one score.
With the huge difference, the reserves of both clubs finished the game to the final of 57-13.
For the game, Jackson finished with 107 yards and one score while Greene also did the bulk of his work in the first half with his 7 catches for 65 yards. Swartz led the Eagles overland with 80 yards, while Knight finished with 79 yards and one score.
“Starting with a win like this was huge for us especially with the bonds we have,” said Jackson. “We have a bunch of young guys and a win can really us build a bond. When I came here we only won 3 or 5 games and to get a start like this one can lead us to bigger and better things, especially for the younger guys.”
