ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Cedar Crest College flag football team dropped a pair of conference games to Penn State Harrisburg and Gallaudet University with a final scores of 35-7 and 34-6, respectively on Senior Day. Prior to the game, the Falcons honored their four seniors: Erika Butler (Philadelphia, Pa./String Theory Performing Arts), Viamell Sanchez Reyes (Allentown, Pa./William Allen), Elayah Toney (Jersey City, N.J./Innovation), and Jessica Womack (Sellersville, Pa./Pennridge) in a special ceremony.
Game One – Penn State Harrisburg 35, Cedar Crest 7

The Lions initiated the action with a strong drive, highlighted by a 46-yard rush and a subsequent touchdown run by graduate student Jordan Carpenter (Chester, Va.), followed by a successful pass attempt for extra points, putting Cedar Crest behind early in the quarter. The Falcons responded with a determined offensive effort led by Analyse Rios (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek), who completed a 12-yard pass to sophomore Ginger Kerdock (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck) and added valuable rushing yards alongside Jasmine George (). However, the drive ultimately stalled, and Cedar Crest was unable to capitalize on their momentum before the end of the first quarter. As the stanza drew to a close, the Falcons' defense held firm against further Penn state Harrisburg advances, but the scoreboard remained at 14-0 in favor of the visitors.

Cedar Crest opened the second quarter with possession, initially advancing through a 16-yard pass from Rios to Kerdock. However, the drive stalled, and the Lions regained control. The Falcons' defense held strong, forcing a punt that resulted in a significant loss of yardage for the visitors. Despite the favorable field position, Cedar Crest faced challenges on offense, with a series of plays resulting in negative yardage. Butler's attempts to connect were met with resistance, culminating in a turnover deep in Falcons' territory. Penn State Harrisburg capitalized on this, scoring a touchdown with 16 seconds remaining in the quarter, extending its lead to 20-0. Cedar Crest ended the quarter with a short pass completion out of bounds, maintaining possession as the clock expired.

The third quarter began with the Falcons attempting to build momentum from their own 14-yard line. First-year LaMiah Clemons (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) connected with Rios for a seven-yard gain, extending the drive, yet Cedar Crest soon turned the ball over. The Lions were initially stifled by the defense, with first-year Zhané Pollard making key flag pulls for losses, but ultimately managed to drive down the field, culminating in a touchdown pass from first-year Nadia King (Harrisburg, Pa.) to classmate Mi-La Guest (Sammamish, Wash.), increasing their lead. The Falcons' subsequent drives were characterized by incomplete passes and short gains, despite efforts by Butler and Clemons to connect with receivers like junior Kenny Akinsehinwa (Windsor Mill, Md./Prince & Princess International School) and Kerdock. As the quarter concluded, Cedar Crest remained scoreless, trailing as Penn State Harrisburg extended its lead to 27-0.

In the fourth quarter, the Falcons initiated a strong start with Clemons connecting with Rios for a 35-yard touchdown pass at 14:25. Rios followed with a successful pass attempt, boosting Cedar Crest's score. Despite a robust offensive start, the Lions responded with an interception return by Carpenter for a touchdown, leveling the score for the quarter. As the quarter progressed, the Falcons' defense made significant plays, including a sack for a by George and a flag pull by first-year Kya Vandersluis (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) that resulted in a loss for the opponent. However, offensive efforts faced challenges, with Cedar Crest unable to capitalize further on their drives.

For the Falcons, Rios recorded a touchdown and accumulated 86 receiving yards, showcasing her impact on the offensive front. Clemons contributed through the air with a touchdown pass, totaling 97 passing yards. Kerdock made her presence felt on defense with an interception and one tackle. Akinsehinwa led the defensive effort with three flag pulls.

Game Two – Gallaudet 34, Cedar Crest 6

Cedar Crest managed a strong start with a 66-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter but struggled offensively thereafter, completing only 149 total yards. Gallaudet capitalized on its opportunities, recording 360 total yards and four passing touchdowns to secure the win.

The Falcons opened the first quarter with a methodical drive, though it stalled after a series of short gains, culminating in a punt by Clemons. The Bison capitalized on their ensuing possession, with sophomore Gianna Visco (Riverside, Calif.) leading a drive that resulted in a touchdown following Pollard interception that was returned by sophomore Citrine Lummer (Frederick, Md.). This gave Gallaudet an early lead in the quarter. Cedar Crest responded strategically with Kerdock on a significant 66-yard touchdown reception to narrow the score. Despite missing the extra point, the Falcons kept the game within reach. As the quarter concluded, Cedar Crest trailed narrowly with a score of 7-6, leaving the contest tightly contested going into the next quarter.

The second quarter began with Falcons on defense, where Rios made a key tackle to halt the early advance by the Bison. Gallaudet capitalized on a subsequent possession, completing a 23-yard touchdown pass, extending its lead. The Falcons' response was highlighted by a 10-yard rush by Pollard, but a subsequent interception by Kerdock briefly shifted momentum back. In the closing minutes, Cedar Crest faced challenges with yardage losses on several plays. Despite a strong defensive stand, including Kerdock's interception, Gallaudet managed another touchdown, converting the extra point to further its lead. The quarter ended with the Falcons seeking to regroup as the scoreboard showed Gallaudet leading 19-6.

The third quarter began with Cedar Crest attempting to halt momentum by the Bison. Despite efforts by Pollard and Akinsehinwa to contain first-year Tamara Tadevosyan (Austin, Texas) rushing advances, Gallaudet managed to complete a series of successful plays, culminating in a touchdown pass from Visco to Tadevosyan. This was followed by a successful rush attempt for the extra point, extending the lead for the Bison. On the ensuing drive, the Falcons' offense, led by Rios, showed some promise with completions to first-year Hailey Wolbeck (Hemet, Calif./Western Center Academy) and George. However, the drive stalled, and Cedar Crest was unable to capitalize on their offensive efforts. The Bison regained possession and maintained its offensive pressure, scoring again with a touchdown pass from Visco to sophomore Jada Zarembka (Riverside, Calif.), followed by another successful point-after attempt. The Falcons concluded the third quarter trailing, with the score at 33-6 in favor of Gallaudet, as the team prepared for the final quarter.

Cedar Crest opened the fourth quarter with possession but faced a setback with a false start penalty. Despite a completed pass from Rios to Wolbeck and a subsequent six-yard rush by Clemons, the drive stalled. The Bison took over but was driven back by the Falcons' defense, highlighted by tackles by Akinsehinwa, forcing significant yardage losses. Later, Cedar Crest's defense continued to apply pressure, as evidenced by a series of unsuccessful passes from Gallaudet, resulting in negative yardage gains. With less than a minute remaining, Kerdock made a pivotal interception at the goal line, returning the ball 40 yards to shift momentum. Ultimately, the Falcons could not capitalize on the final drive, as the game concluded without additional scoring. The scoreboard closed with Cedar Crest trailing Gallaudet, 34-6.

For the Falcons, Kerdock made a significant impact with five receptions for 87 yards and scored one touchdown, while also intercepting two passes on defense. Clemons contributed with an 83-yard passing performance, including one touchdown pass, although she threw three interceptions. Toney led the defensive efforts with seven total tackles. Akinsehinwa also supported the defense with four tackles.

Cedar Crest (5-5 overall, 1-5 United East) will return to action on Saturday, April 18 on the road at Gallaudet University at 11:00 a.m. followed by a contest against Keystone College at 12:30 p.m.