HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College Football team dropped its home opener on Saturday afternoon, falling 49–13 to Alfred State at St. Francis High School. The Hawks moved to 0–2 on the season, while the Pioneers improved to 1–1.
Alfred State jumped out to a 7–0 first-quarter lead behind a 43-yard touchdown pass from Justin Horvath to Elijah Georges on the opening drive the afternoon. Hilbert responded with a lengthy 14-play drive that saw the Hawks run a play from the Alfred State one yard line, but three straight tackles for a loss stalled the Hilbert offense and denied the hosts an immediate answer. Following the defensive stand, the Pioneers offense put together a methodical 13-play drive that ended with a four-yard rush from Noah Currier to double the advantage.
After the second Alfred score, the Hilbert offense continued to move the ball well as a 13-play, 57-yard drive that ended with a four-yard touchdown run by
Xzavier Patrick, the first of his career, cut the deficit to 14–7 after an
Angelo Schwarzott extra point.
The teams traded empty offensive possessions, but the Pioneers quickly restored the two score lead on a 43-yard touchdown strike from Horvath to Georges.
An interception gave Alfred State the ball back late in the half looking to extend the lead heading in the break, but the Hawks' defense provided the highlight of the day late in the first half. With Alfred State threatening, defensive back
Da'von Cockrell stepped in front of a pass and returned it 86 yards for a touchdown, the first of his career and the longest scoring play in program history, with just four seconds remaining before halftime. Cockrell's pick-six brought Hilbert within 21–13 at the break.
The second half belonged to the Pioneers, who scored four unanswered touchdowns to pull away. Horvath finished the day completing 18 of 24 passes for 250 yards and four touchdowns. Currier contributed both on the ground and through the air, rushing for 84 yards and two touchdowns while adding a receiving score. Alfred State closed with 518 total yards of offense, including 253 on the ground.
Hilbert's offense found success in the run game, posting 228 rushing yards on 56 carries.
Mike Hanlon paced the Hawks with 84 yards on 18 attempts, while
Christian Hamilton Jr. added 61 yards on six carries. Quarterback
Brody Hopkins contributed 32 rushing yards and completed 3-of-5 passes for 25 yards.
On defense, Cockrell led all players with 11 total tackles in addition to his interception return for a touchdown. Kaden Beckernik added seven tackles, while
Scotty Winchell recorded six stops and a tackle for loss.
UP NEXT:
Hilbert (0–2) will return to action next Saturday, September 20, when the Hawks host the first Liberty League contest in program history against Ithaca at 2 pm at Frontier High School.
