Photos By Logan Moyer, Sports Editor
By Matt Guear
The football team handled their business in a giant way against Keystone College Saturday.
The River Hawks (5-1 overall, 2-0 Landmark) were ready from the word ‘go’, and jumped out to a 27-point lead in the first quarter, as they ultimately defeated the Giants (1-5, 0-2), 79-6 at Doug Arthur Stadium.
Susquehanna flexed all three facets of their team to record their first three scores. First, redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Ehrlich found Kyle Howes in the end zone from 24-yards out.
The Susquehanna defense forced a punt from Keystone on their next possession and freshman running back Rahshan La Mons returned the punt 73-yards to the house to go up by 13 after a missed point-after attempt.
Finally, it was the defense’s turn to show out. Junior linebacker Jesse Ruisch picked off Keystone quarterback Donald Leach III and ran 22-yards for the touchdown.
Ehrlich found senior tight end Rowen Hershey for a 21-yard score to close out the explosive first quarter for the River Hawks.
“I have the best receivers in the country. We got the best running backs in the country. I feel when the ball leaves my hands, they’re going to go up and fight for it,” said Ehrlich.
To start the second quarter, the Giants once again made the fatal mistake of punting to La Mons. He proceeded to return the punt 72-yards for his second return touchdown on the day.
“It was just green grass and then I realized all I had to do was beat the kicker, and I got caught against Brockport by the kicker, and they didn’t let me live that down, so I had to show them that I wouldn’t get caught this time by the kicker, and get in there twice,” said La Mons.
La Mons’ contributions as a first-year player have meant the world to the River Hawks. The coaching staff has entrusted him with a lot this season and he hasn’t lost sight of that.
“It’s hard,” said La Mons. “But then it shows that the coaches trust me and that they put me out there because they believe in me. So, I just got to go out there and believe in myself because if they think so highly of me, why would I not think highly of myself?”
Susquehanna scored one more time in the second half, courtesy of an Ehrlich pass to junior tight end Michael Robbins. They went into halftime up, 41-0.
The River Hawks started the half where they left off in the first. Ehrlich threw a 56-yard bomb to graduate student Chris Bookter just 44 seconds into the half to put Susquehanna up by 48.
“I think our speed overall is better. And I think, you know, guys have really done a great job developing through camp and the chemistry,” said head coach Tom Perkovich. “With that, Chris Booker stepped up big.”
Ehrlich completed touchdown passes to four different receivers and the Giant defense had no real answer for anything the River Hawks did on offense.
Shortly after, sophomore running back Matt Surtz broke free for a 46-yard touchdown run.
Sophomore quarterback Tommy Wright threw his first touchdown pass of the year, connecting with sophomore receiver Robert Stolfa.
The Giants would eventually score when Frankie Leyshon hit Stephen Tatum for a touchdown. However, the game had long been over.
The River Hawks return to Doug Arthur Stadium 1:00 p.m. Saturday, when they will host Juniata in what doubles as the homecoming game and the annual Goal Post Trophy game.
