An eventful and triumphant day for both the football team and its coaching staff, the Mercyhurst Lakers played rival, Gannon University for one final time this season on Nov. 6. A momentous afternoon, not only was it senior night for some of the players and cheerleaders, but it was also Head Coach Marty Schaetzle’s last home game.

“I think it was a great team win. The defense played spectacular and created opportunities for the offense to be successful. The offensive line dominated the point of attack and played very well,” said senior quarterback, Joe Carter.

One senior cheerleader who helped to provide the Laker spirit to football’s big win this past weekend was Psychology major, Alyssa Norcross. Norcross has been on the cheer team for two years and was celebrated on Saturday. Norcross spoke of the cheer team’s supportive family atmosphere and how they strive to share their Laker spirit as well as her excitement during last weekend’s game.

“It felt truly amazing to get the big win over Gannon. I felt so overjoyed and proud to be a Laker! I know the football team has been working really hard this year and it was a great way to end the season,” said Norcross.

For over 20 years, Schaetzle has coached and watched his players grow together as both a team and a family. Ending the afternoon, Schaetzle was carried off of the field, hoisted on the shoulders of a few of his players to end his career as a Laker.

“As a group, we were so happy to be able to get that win for Coach in his last game at home. It meant a lot to be able to carry him off with a victory. I will be forever grateful to Coach for getting the opportunity to play college football,” said Carter.

In the first quarter, the Gannon Golden Knights came out strong scoring with a drive and 35-yard field goal from redshirt sophomore kicker, Eric Scarpino. Gannon’s Scarpino was then able to take a stronger lead by capitalizing on an interception from Carter and hit his second field goal of the game for a total of 6-0, Gannon.

Senior defensive back, Keith Brickman intercepted the ball from Gannon. Carter and the rest of his offense started from 39 yards and were able to use this opportunity to turn the score in favor of the Lakers. Freshman running back, David Alize took the ball 32 yards into the end zone for his first career touchdown making the score 6-6, Mercyhurst.

Junior quarterback Brian Alsobrooks made the field goal turning the total 7-6, Mercyhurst, going into the second quarter. In the second quarter, Alize managed to make his way to the end zone once more scoring from nine yards out turning the tide of the game to 13-6, with Alsobrooks bringing up the score 14-6.

After halftime, Gannon’s redshirt sophomore quarterback, Kory Curtis threw a touchdown pass to redshirt freshman wide receiver, Damerisse Freeman Jr., allowing the Golden Knights to score with a little less than eight minutes remaining. Scarpino then made the resulting field goal for a 14-13 score.

Later in the quarter, Mercyhurst’s junior defensive back, Zakri Thomas, intercepted Gannon which led to Alsobrooks hitting a 33-yard field to add more distance to the score for 17-13, Mercyhurst. Early in the fourth, the Lakers stole the ball after a failed Gannon punt. The Lakers drove the ball forward for roughly eight minutes which was just enough time for Alize to rush his third and final touchdown.

The resulting score was 23-13. Alsobrooks again made the field goal for a final game score of 24-13 against the Gannon rivals. Setting a record since before the COVID-19 pandemic, Alize is the first Laker to score three or more touchdowns in a single game since Nov. 9, 2019.

“I just went out there and tried to run hard like every week,” Alize said, “the offensive line did a great job and made it possible for me to get my first touchdown. It was important to try and give our seniors and Marty [Schaetzle] a last big win so they could go out with a bang.”

“Dave Alize had a monster game. I am so proud that as a freshman in a rivalry game he could step in and play great. To score three touchdowns, includ-ing the first of his career, against Gannon is special,” said Carter.

The Lakers have one final game against Shippensburg University on Nov. 13 to finish off their 2021-2022 season. Currently, the Lakers are 4-6 overall with a 3-4 conference re-cord.