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 today at Hubert Jack Stadium.
The 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. It’s also the second of two Thursday night games scheduled for LHU during the 2019 season. The Bald Eagles opened the season with lopsided Thursday-night win over Lincoln back on September 5.
