Hargrave PG football defeats 5th ranked Bridgewater College
Bryant scores game winner in overtime
It was not for the faint of heart. The Hargrave PG’s battled one of the top programs in NCAA Division III football down to the wire. Jonathan Dorchak hit a 32 yard field goal with 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to knot the game at 13-13 to send the contest into overtime. After the defense held Bridgewater on fourth down, it took the Tigers just four plays for Terry Mitchell to find Jamar Bryant in the end zone for the game winner and a 19-13 victory over the 5th ranked Eagles.
Defense was the name of the game in the first quarter. Both teams were held scoreless, although Hargrave had no problem moving the football down the field. The Tiger’s offense was slowed by a slew of penalties that had them constantly digging themselves out of a hole. The PG defense, led by defensive end Willie Young, held tough. Young recorded three quarterback sacks in the first quarter alone causing the Eagles to alter their game plan.
The second quarter proved that Coach Robert Prunty’s emphasis on special teams paid off. After two scores put Bridgewater ahead 13-0, Andre Brown took matters into his own hands with a 93 yard kickoff return to put Hargrave within striking distance. The Tigers pulled within a field goal as the offense moved the ball down field to the BC 8 yard line. With 1:15 left in the half, Jonathan Dorchak hit his first of two field goals on the day with a 25 yard boot sending Bridgewater into the half with a 13-10 lead.
The second half proved that defense is always more dominant earlier in the season. On third down and eight, HMA quarterback Terry Mitchell was picked off and returned to the Hargrave eight yard line. Once again the PG defense came through in the clutch. On third down and goal from the three yard line, linebacker Olu Hall came up big by intercepting a Bridgewater pass in the end zone and returning it to back to the 35 yard line.
With 3:30 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Tiger offense had one more chance to score. From HMA’s own 35 yard line, quarterback Aubrey Norris operated a flawless two minute drill down the field with the help of some great catches. On 3rd down and ten, Norris found Jason Burton on the sideline to give the PG’s a first down to keep the drive alive. On yet another third down, the New York native found Chubb Small on a hitch route to set up another first down to keep the Tigers rolling. With just :30 seconds remaining, Jonathan Dorchak was called upon to attempt the game tying field goal from 32 yards out. Dorchak’s kick split the uprights to send the game into overtime.
The Tiger defense stood tough in the extra period, holding the Eagles on 4th down giving the offense the ball on the 50 yard line. It took the PG offense just four plays to move the ball down field, thanks in part to a 30 yard reception by Andre Brown. From the eight yard line, Terry Mitchell found Jamar Bryant standing alone in the end zone for the game winner.
Hargrave will prepare this week for a road game at Averett University on Sunday September 5th. Game time is slated for 1:00 pm in Danville, VA.
Other notable statistics:
Offense
QB Terry Mitchell 13/21 176 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int.
QB Aubrey Norris 10/20 128 yards
RB Curtis Brinkley 10 rushes 75 yards, 1 rec. 12 yards
RB Andre Brown 6 rushes 28 yards, 3 rec. 43 yards
WR Bruce Francis 5 receptions 55 yards
WR Marcus Vareen 3 receptions 41 yards
Defense
LB Joseph Clark 10 total tackles
DL Brandon Fanney 9 total tackles, 1 sack
SS Don Hargroder 9 total tackles
LB Olu Hall 8 total tackles, 1 int
DE Willie Young 7 total tackles, 3 sacks, 4 QB hurries
Special Teams
K Jonathan Dorchak 2/2 FG, 2/2 PAT
Ret. Andre Brown 95 yd kick off return
