Warriors To Play In Yankee Conference Championship

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Merrimack College Football team is back in the Yankee Conference Championship taking on Sacred Heart University this Saturday. The Warriors and Pioneers kick off their battle for the Yankee Cup at 12 noon. 
 
Who to Watch

• After an impressive outing against Colgate two weeks ago, Pereira collected another two touchdowns in the team's matchup against New Haven. The New Hampshire native completed his longest pass of the season to tight end Cade Callahan for a 50-yard touchdown. Pereira also added a touchdown on the ground. With his 10^th touchdown on Saturday, he matched his career best for total touchdowns in a single season.
• It's been junior Galamama Mulbah has been leading the Warrior backfield for the past three weeks. Mulbah's ability to break tackles and ferocious his speed carried him to a career day against Colgate. The rusher tallied his first Warrior touchdown against Harvard and broke his career high in yards (71) against the Raiders. He leads the Warriors in yards per rush with 5.0.
• Kicker Charlton Thai has been a vital part of the Warrior Special Teams unit. After being awarded the Gold Helmet for his performance in week 4 against Central Connecticut, Thai has been lights out. The senior has nailed four field goals from 40+ yards, two of which being good from 47. He's also made four kicks from 30+ for the Warriors.

 
Mack Attack

• Quarterback Ayden Pereira leads the team in attempts (154), yards (607), and tds (5). Highlighted by 131-yard effort on the ground against Maine, Pereira hit career high milestone of 1,000 rushing yards that day. Running back Brendon Wyatt accounts for 241 of the teams rushing yards with two scores. Galamama Mulbah follows that up with 221 yards on the ground with two scores as well.

 
Defense Wins Championships

• Tied for fourth in the FCS in interceptions, RJ Chapman is up to four interceptions this year after a highlight reel pick against undefeated Harvard three weeks ago.
• Senior linebacker Kendal Sims has been the backbone of the Warrior defense this year, leading the team in total tackles (65), tackles for a loss (6), sacks (3.5), and forced fumbles (2). He added his third fumble recovery of the season last week against Colgate. Sims has also recovered three fumbles on the year.
• DJ Frazier leads the team in solo tackles (31), and it tied for first in the FCS with two blocked kicks.

 
MC-SHU Matchup History

• For the second straight season the Warriors and Pioneers face off in the Yankee Conference Championship.
  • Merrimack alum Jermaine Corbett, 100-yard kick-off return to start game
• High volume running for both teams last year. SHU net 283, MC net 256.
• Warriors' all-time matchup against the Pioneers is 3-4 dating back to 1996.
• Merrimack has won 2 of the 3 last games.

 
 
Kickoff against the Pioneers is set for 12pm. Follow live on ESPN+ !