READING, Pa. – The Albright football team (0-9, 0-8 MAC Commonwealth) suffered a tough loss to the Alvernia Golden Wolves (1-8, 1-7 MAC Commonwealth) on Saturday (Nov. 4) afternoon on the road. Alvernia took todays rivalry game over Albright by a final score of 28-16.

Alvernia opened the scoring in todays game taking a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

Albright answered the Alvernia score on the ensuing drive for the Lions. Montez Ellis Jr. broke off a 52-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7. Ellis Jr. has seen his playtime increase over the past couple weeks and is making good on the coaches' decision. The 52-yard touchdown run marks the longest offensive play from scrimmage for the Lions this season.

The 52-yard touchdown run by Ellis Jr. highlighted a big first half for the first-year tailback and the Albright offense. Elllis Jr. led the Lions offense with 87 rushing yards on seven carries. As an offense, Albright rushed for 123 yards and added 42 more yards through the air in the first half.

After the Albright defense forced Alvernia to punt, the Lions went on a 17-play drive that took 10:08 off the clock in the second quarter. The Lions got the ball very early on in the second quarter and capped off the second quarter drive with 4:43 left in the first half on a field goal. The field goal put Albright in front 10-7 just before halftime.

On the 17-play drive, starting quarterback Ethan Martin completed two big passes, one going to Antonio Bargiel and one to Matthew Creeger to keep the Lions offense on the field. The impressive scoring drive ended on a 29-yard field goal from Ian Barbini. Alvernia missed a field goal at the end of the second half giving Albright a 10-7 lead after 30 minutes.

Alvernia scored quickly on their opening drive in the second half taking a 14-10 lead.

Once again, the Lions had an answer for the Golden Wolves score. After defensive stands from both sides, Alvernia's offense was back on the field but saw their drive come to a sudden halt. Angelo Hernandez intercepted his first career pass stifling Alvernia's drive giving the ball back to the Lions offense.

After the interception the Lions went on another long touchdown drive. The 14-play drive was capped off by a Dahlir Adams one-yard touchdown run to put Albright in front 16-14 with 1:40 left in the third quarter.  

The Golden Wolves passing game struck again in the third quarter on a 39-yard touchdown pass from Golden Wolves quarterback Colin Payne. The Alvernia touchdown put them in front making it a 21-16 game early in the fourth quarter.

With 7:21 left in the fourth quarter, CJ Partridge made a fantastic interception to give the ball back to the offense. The interception was the second of the day for the Lions. Despite the big defensive play, the Lions offense could not convert on the Alvernia turnover late in the game.  

In the end, the Alvernia passing game was too much to overcome for Albright. Alvernia added another passing touchdown with 4:47 left in the fourth to stretch their lead to 28-16.

The 28-16 Alvernia lead would prove to be the final score in today's game.

Ellis Jr. had a career day for Albright rushing the ball. Ellis Jr. eclipsed the 100-yard mark going for 118 yards on the ground and a touchdown. The touchdown scored, 118 rushing yards and 17 carries all marked a career high for Ellis Jr. Adams added 16 yards on the ground and one touchdown for the Lions.

Bargiel, Creeger and Kyle Sapovchak all finished with two catches each for Albright. Bargiel led with 22 receiving yards. 

Luke Wellman and Eric Martin tallied two tackle for losses each leading the Albright defense. Hernandez and Partridge each had an interception this afternoon and combined for four tackles on the day. One's of Martin's tackles for loss went for a sack while Jacquez Parker-Cannon and Jamal Charles combined on a sack to each earned a half sack. 

Taylor Heflin, Darien Osmun, Derrick Lynn and Hajah Bogle all recorded one pass breakup in todays game. 
 
Up Next:
Albright will conclude their season at home next Saturday, November 11 against Lebanon Valley College. Saturday's game will serve as senior day for the Lions and the game will kick-off at 12:00 p.m. from Shirk Stadium.