Football Defeats Nassau 28–10 Behind Dominant Second-Half Performance

CONTACT: Julia Quinlan, j.quinlan@hvcc.edu, (518) 629-7863 or (518) 530-7376
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, October 25, 2025

The Hudson Valley Community College football team earned a strong 28–10 road victory over Nassau Community College on Saturday afternoon, using a balanced offensive attack and a stingy defense to pull away in the second half.

After a slow start offensively, the Vikings found their rhythm in the second quarter. Jessiah Etheart opened the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run to give Hudson Valley a 7–3 lead. Just before halftime, quarterback Nathan Stone connected with Micah Gates for a four-yard touchdown pass, extending the advantage to 14–3 heading into the break.

Nassau closed the gap early in the third quarter with a 61-yard touchdown pass, but Hudson Valley quickly regained control. Stone capped off a steady fourth-quarter drive with a one-yard touchdown run to make it 21–10. The Vikings' defense then sealed the win late, as Mehki Smith intercepted a pass and returned it 77 yards for a touchdown to secure the 28–10 victory.

The Vikings outgained Nassau 237–197 in total offense and controlled the game on both sides of the ball. Stone finished 15-for-31 for 182 yards with one passing and one rushing touchdown, while Etheart carried the ball 25 times for 71 yards and a score. Gates led the receiving corps with five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Hudson Valley forced three interceptions, highlighted by Smith's pick-six to close out the game.

With the win, the Vikings improve to 6-3 and will wrap up their 2025 season on the road next weekend. Hudson Valley travels to face Keystone College on Saturday, November 1 at 1 p.m.