East Stroudsburg Defeats Kutztown In Overtime
East Stroudsburg, PA - October 31, 2026: The top two teams in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division squared off this afternoon at Gregory-Dowds Field at Eiler-Martin Stadium.
Kutztown University came into the game with a 4-0 division record (8-0 overall). East Stroudsburg University entered with a 4-0 division record as well (7-1 overall). In an overtime classic, East Stroudsburg edged Kutztown 32-25 to take the top spot in the East Division.
The Warriors, behind placekicker Ty Quintois (Souderton Area High School), who kicked six field goals and added two extra points, and running backs Deante Crawford (Bethlehem Freedom High School) and Ajani Walker (Central York High School), who combined for 123 yards of the team’s 198 total rushing yards, were able to stun the defending champion Golden Bears on Senior Day.
Late in the 4th quarter, East Stroudsburg was up 25-17 before Kutztown ran their two-minute drill and tied it up on a Noah Kracyla 19-yard reception from quarterback Judd Novak (Manheim Central High School). Kutztown added the two-point conversion and the game was tied with thirty seconds left in regulation.
In overtime, East Stroudsburg started on offense first. Five plays later, running back Matt Frame (Northern Lehigh High School) punched it in from 1-yard out. Quintois added the extra point and the Warriors were up once again, 32-25.
Kutztown took possession and had their opportunity to score. Starting at the 25-yard line, the Golden Bears rushed twice for 15 yards. They had a 1st and goal at the 10-yard line. Stewart rushed for two yards taking the ball to the 8-yard line. On second down, a false start penalty hurt Kutztown, moving them back to the 13-yard line. After two incomplete passes, Kutztown was faced with a 4th and 13 in an attempt to extend the game. Novak attempted to hit Kracyla in the right flat but it was broken up by East Stroudsburg’s Leyden Hertz to end the game.
Coming into today’s game, Kutztown averaged 45 points and 220 yards rushing per game. Along with a very good passing attack, which has been averaging 211 yards per game, the Golden Bears’ offense was on a roll. Today, Kutztown rushed for 186 yards and passed for 271 yards. Leading the way for the Golden Bears on the ground was Jaedyn Stewart, who ran for 114 yards, and quarterback Novak, who threw for 271 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Kutztown came into the game with a solid defense but the script was flipped as East Stroudsburg’s defense shined down the stretch. Kutztown had held their opponents to 14 points and a slim 56 yards rushing per game. East Stroudsburg found a way to run the ball on one of the toughest defenses in the PSAC and that was a big difference in today’s outcome.
Mike Fayemi led Kutztown with 10 tackles, 7 solo and 3 assists. Teammate L.J. Smith added 8 total tackles. East Stroudsburg was led on defense by Armonie Torres (Allentown Central Catholic High School) who had 9 total tackles, 6 solo and 3 assists. Ashton Blose was right behind Torres with 7 total tackles and a sack.
East Stroudsburg came into today’s game averaging 36 points per game while holding their opponents to an average of 16. The team averaged 257 yards rushing per game while holding their opponent to 100 yards.
East Stroudsburg has been led by a contingent of rushers. Walker came into the game with 535 yards while teammates Harrison Susi, Cade Sawyer, and Crawford have all contributed significant yardage. Sawyer (Southern Lehigh High School) has scored seven touchdowns on the season. He rushed for 16 yards on 5 carries today.
The Warrior offensive line did an outstanding job today protecting quarterback Matt Machalik while opening up the running lanes. The o-line did not give up a sack today and the offense was 5 for 5 in red-zone scoring.
Machalik (Palmerton High School), started today at quarterback. Machalik, a Lehigh University transfer, had thrown for 604 yards and 7 touchdowns prior to today. In the second quarter of today’s game, and down 7-6 at the time, Machalik connected with receiver Elijah Ford (Downington West High School) on a 54-yard touchdown pass to put the Warriors up 13-7. Machalik finished the game 12 of 27 for 183 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 35 yards on 6 carries.
Kutztown’s Kracyla had a career day in the receiving department. He hauled in 12 catches for 209 yards and 3 touchdowns. His longest was a 68-yard reception in the 4th quarter to put the Golden Bears within five points of the Warriors, 22-17.
Kutztown has won the PSAC Championship the last three years. The win by East Stroudsburg today puts the Warriors in control of the East Division with one game left in the season.
East Stroudsburg travels to Millersville next weekend while Kutztown hosts Bloomsburg. The PSAC Championship game is set for November 14th at Slippery Rock, which is the only team so far this season to beat East Stroudsburg.
