CHESTER, Pa. – Louie Barrios IV and Alvaro Lora each tied program records in a dominant 49-26 win over Widener, securing the Aggies' ninth straight Keystone Cup on Saturday afternoon.

In the game's opening stages, both teams struggled offensively. The Pride and Aggies combined for just seven yards over the first four possessions. Shaun Balkcom made his presence felt with two tackles for loss, anchoring a strong DelVal defensive effort.

Widener found some momentum on their fifth possession of the first quarter, starting with a 23-yard run up the middle. However, the drive came to an abrupt end when Jacquez Mabin recovered a fumble as the Pride entered the red zone.

With the ball back in their hands, Barrios led the Aggies to a first down on a 17-yard rush into Widener territory. Elijah Williams, Jack Fallon, and Barrios combined for a steady push down the field, setting up a three-yard touchdown pass to Lora in the corner of the end zone. The successful PAT gave DelVal a 7-0 lead.

A quick three-and-out by Widener handed the ball back to the Aggies, who continued their offensive surge. After a pair of holding penalties stalled the drive, Barrios found Rob McConnell for a 2-yard touchdown catch, with no flag thrown despite a challenge from Widener. After a review, the touchdown stood, and the Aggies were up 14-0 with 4:27 left in the first half.

With time winding down, Barrios connected with Nahsir Morgan on a stunning one-handed touchdown catch in the end zone on fourth-and-four, extending DelVal's lead to 21-0 as the teams headed into the break. Dillon Shamanow sparked the drive with two receptions for 11 and 20 yards.

In the second half, the Aggies executed a surprising trick play on fourth down. Rather than punting, Nick Arcaroli completed a pass to Lora for a gain to midfield. Arcaroli then found Morgan for another first down into Widener territory. The Aggies capped off an 86-yard drive when Fallon broke free for a 7-yard touchdown, putting DelVal up 28-0 after Brendan Hazell's successful PAT.

Widener broke the shutout on their next possession with a 62-yard touchdown pass from Jeff Chaplin to Jaelen Richardson. The Pride quickly gained possession again after a strip-sack fumble by Nate Brown, and they made the most of it with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Baxter. The play was challenged by DelVal head coach Mike Isgro but upheld after review.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Aggies tried to run the ball out of the end zone, but the returner fumbled. Chris Church of Widener recovered it in the end zone, cutting DelVal's lead to 28-20.

Looking to restore their momentum, the Aggies responded with a 16-yard rush by Fallon, who broke three tackles on the play. On third-and-11, Barrios connected with Lora, who was wide open down the sideline for a 55-yard touchdown, pushing the Aggies' lead to 35-20 after the extra point.

In the fourth quarter, with the clock running down, Shamanow hauled in a 7-yard reception for a first down. Karmi Hicks added a 7-yard run, hurdling a defender along the way. Barrios then found Lora for the third time on the day, this time on a 31-yard touchdown pass that extended the Aggies' lead.

Balkcom continued his dominant performance with a sack of Chaplin, but the Pride responded with a series of big passes, including completions of 29 and 13 yards, to move into the red zone. A false start penalty pushed them back, but two more completions got Widener into the end zone. However, DelVal's Micah Bootman intercepted the two-point conversion attempt, keeping the score at 42-26.

Widener attempted an onside kick, but the Aggies recovered at the WID 40-yard line. After several strong rushes by Fallon, Barrios tied a Delaware Valley record by throwing six touchdown passes, a feat previously accomplished by Chris Smallwood against Wilkes in 2014. The recipient of that record-tying touchdown, Lora, also tied a program record with four touchdown catches in a single game.

With under two minutes remaining, Shamanow recovered a muffed punt, sealing the victory for the Aggies.

With the win, DelVal finishes the 2024 regular season 8-2 overall and 7-2 in the MAC. The Aggies will host a MAC-Centennial Bowl game next Saturday, November 23, in Doylestown.