The Mercyhurst University Football team was victorious on Saturday afternoon as they defeated cross-town rival Gannon in what was Head Coach Marty Schaetzle's last home game coaching the Lakers.
The Golden Knights started out the scoring in the first quarter as they drove down on their first drive and kicked a 35 yard field goal courtesy of Eric Scarpino. After a Joe Carter interception on the Lakers first drive, Scarpino put the Golden Knights up 6-0 drilling his second field goal of the contest,
After a
Keith Brickman interception,
Joe Carter and the Laker offense took over from the Golden Knights 39 yard-line. From there the Lakers picked up a first down, then Freshman Running Back
David Alize scampered 32 yards into the endzone for his first career touchdown as a Laker. The score would give the Lakers a 7-6 advantage going into the second quarter.
Alize again found the endzone halfway through the second quarter scoring from nine yards out to give Mercyhurst a 14 to six advantage. The score remained 14-6 as the teams went into the halftime break.
In the second half, Gannon pulled within one again when Kory Curtis threw a touchdown pass to Damerisse Freeman with 7:55 remaining in the quarter. After a Zak Thomas interception, Mercyhurst capitalized on good field possession late in the third quarter as
Brian Alsobrooks nailed a 33 yard field goal.
The Lakers got the ball back after a Golden Knight punt early in the fourth, on the following Mercyhurst drive the Lakers knocked off roughly eight minutes of game time. Alize ended the drive with what was his third rushing touchdown of the game. The score put the Lakers up 24-13. It was the first time that a Laker had scored three or more touchdowns in a game since November 9th, 2019.
Alize ended his career day with 22 carries on the ground for 117 yards, Thomas Zacharyasz led the defense in tackles with 13, Jacob Holl and Jehrod Gregory each added 8 in what was the seniors final game on Saxon Stadium.
The Lakers will close out their 2021 season next Saturday against Shippensburg.
