Greensboro College

Emory, Va. – Greensboro College (1-1) held off Emory & Henry (1-1) at Fullerton Field on Saturday. GC got second quarter touchdowns from Rodney Beasley (Condor, NC/East Montgomery) and Andreas Platt (Greensboro, NC/Ragsdale) --who scored on an 80 yard interception return--and a dominating defensive performance in the victory.

The Wasps (1-1), playing in front of a packed stadium, gave fans plenty to cheer about Saturday, but Greensboro (1-1) had the final say, holding off the Wasps on multiple occasions. Emory & Henry seemed to have all the momentum from the onslaught, but Greensboro was able to capitalize on a vital mistake to win the game. 

The Pride defense held EHC to just 101 total yards, including 9 rush yards. The Pride didn’t exactly have a proficient day on offense, either. The visitors had 165 total yards, 85 on the ground and 77 in the air. 

Both teams struggled to move the ball, but the Wasps broke through first. Following a big offensive pass interference penalty that forced Greensboro to punt the ball, Emory & Henry opened up the scoring when Daniel Booher threw up a well-targeted pass to Jonathan Hawkins for a 28-yard touchdown reception. Luke Hawk added the extra point, and the Wasps were up 7-0 with 4:03 to play in the first quarter. 

Following an EHC fumble, Greensboro capitalized, and marched down the field to tie the game 7-7. The six play, 45-yard drive was capped by a nine yard run by Beasley (10 carries, 56 yards). A PAT by Brentson Wallace (Pittsboro, NC/Northwood) tied the game. 

A Wasp drive was thwarted after a pass interception by Platt, who took the ball back for an 80-yard touchdown, putting the Pride up 14-7 after Wallace’s second extra point. The two second quarter touchdowns were all The Pride would need. 

Greensboro came out for the second half moving the ball with ease in the opening minutes of the third quarter, but the Wasps’ defense tightened up and forced Greensboro to punt. Greensboro took the ball over again after Emory & Henry was unable to move the ball, but a critical offensive pass interference penalty forced Greensboro to punt again. Emory & Henry kept the Pride at bay, and forced Greensboro into long yardage situations throughout the third quarter. 

The Wasps appeared to regain some momentum in the fourth quarter, when Greensboro snapped the ball over the punter’s head for a second time, giving the Wasps’ B.T. Roberts the opportunity to block the kick and give Emory & Henry excellent field position. Hawk kicked a 30-yard field goal to pull the Wasps within 4. 

Emory & Henry, trailing 14-10, remained strong defensively and backed Greensboro up on their own 6-yard line. The Pride had its third poor snap of the game, and gave up a safety. 

After getting good field position after the free kick, a penalty and miscues pushed the Wasp offense back. The Pride then took over the ball and ran out the final seconds. 

Six different GC players recorded tackles for loss in the game. Brick Crowder (LaGrange, NC/Parrott Academy) had six tackles and a fumble reoovery. 

On offense, Michael Caparaso (Morganton, NC /Freedom) was 11-21 passing. Calvin Bacon (Charlotte, NC/A.L. Brown) had 51 rush yards and caught a pass for 19 yards.
Box: http://www.greensborocollegesports.com/custompages/football/2008/gc0913.htm

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