ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Albright football team overcame a 21-7 deficit in the first half to take a lead into the fourth quarter, but Lebanon Valley scored with 1:02 to play and blocked a potential game-tying field goal as time expired to defeat the Lions, 28-25, on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions held a 25-21 lead in the fourth quarter after scoring 18 unanswered points. With nine minutes remaining, the Lions defense forced Lebanon Valley into a punt.
Kyle Dickerson returned that punt 90 yards for a touchdown, but a holding call on Albright negated the play. The Albright offense held the ball for more than four minutes on the resulting drive, but it was forced into a punt.
Lebanon Valley went 75 yards in 13 plays to take a 28-25 lead with just 1:02 to play in the fourth quarter. Starting at his own 37 after the kickoff, quarterback
Alec Vignola connected three times with
Milton Cordero. The third of those completions set up Albright at the Lebanon Valley 22 with just 16 seconds to play. After two incompletions, Albright lined up for a 39-yard field goal attempt to tie the score.
Kevin Goetz's attempt was blocked, however, as time expired.
Vignola found Dickerson on Albright's first drive of the game to give the Lions a 7-0 lead less than five minutes into play. Lebanon Valley responded with three consecutive touchdowns, all in the second quarter, to take a 21-7 lead. The Albright offense got three points on the board as time expired in the first half on a 32-yard field goal by Goetz to make it 21-10 at halftime.
Albright maintained that momentum in the second half.
Roemello Monroe capped the opening drive of the second half with a 7-yard touchdown run to make it 21-16. Albright converted on the two-point play to make it a field-goal game, 21-18. The Lions didn't need the field goal, though, as they were able to punch in another touchdown with 5:41 left in the third.
Brian Wickkiser threw a halfback pass touchdown to
Malik Jackson from three yards out to make it 25-21.
Vignola went 20-for-32 for 213 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 30 yards. Monroe carried 15 times for 61 yards. Jackson and
Vinny Williams each had six catches to lead Albright receivers.
On the defensive side,
Danny Brown had 12 solo tackles to pace the Albright defense.
Nico Williams had three sacks and six total tackles.
Donte Thomas had an interception.
Albright will now await its postseason fate on Sunday night.
