Mountaineers survive last minute drive
Tigers nearly pull off the upset
Morgantown, WV- The Hargrave Military Academy Post Graduate football team gave #13 ranked West Virginia University all it could handle before a Terry Mitchell pass sailed high on 4th down stalling the game tying drive at the WVU 15-yard line with only one minute remaining. Missed opportunities all game long made it tough for Hargrave to recover and fell 14-7 on Friday to the Mountaineers. The Tigers did improve from last year when they were defeated 41-27 by West Virginia.
The PG’s used a much improved running attack and a stifling defense to take control of the first half. The Tigers held the ball for nearly 16 minutes in the first half racking up close to 200 yards, but by playing 12 minute quarters, HMA’s two time consuming drives ended up hurting the the visiting team in the long run. The defense stood tough after giving up an early score to put WVU up 7-0. Hargrave answered with a 14 play 6:30 scoring drive to tie the game at 7-7. Disaster struck with time winding down in the second quarter when a HMA fumble at the Mountaineers 1 yard line left Hargrave without points after another 14 play drive.
West Virginia revised their game plan at the half and came out with the intentions of stopping the Hargrave run game. They succeeded, but not by tackling the running back. The WVU offense held the ball for 11 minutes in the third quarter, giving the Tiger offense the ball for merely 3-plays for the entire quarter. The PG defense finally succumbed and gave up the second touchdown with 10:15 left in the game to put West Virginia up 14-7.
After exchanging punts the PG offense went to work again, this time marching the length of the field in just 5 plays down to the Mountaineer 18-yard line. On first and 10 from the 18, The Tigers turned the ball over for the second time in the game by fumbling the snap from center with 2:35 left on the clock. The PG defense gave the offense one last chance with 1:15 left in the game, when they stopped the West Virginia offense on third down forcing a punt. The Hargrave offense took control of the ball on the 50-yard line and began an attempt for a game tying drive. The PG’s had WVU on the ropes, but a high pass on 4th and 10 ended the Tigers bid for the upset.
Many Tigers had solid performances. On offense RB’s Curtis Brinkley and Chubb Small had a big day on the ground. TE John Hall was a solid blocker and had two big catches. The offensive line blocked well lead by Brandon Albert, Jared Gaither, Brandon Holland, Phillip Browning, Ryan Adams, Christian Johnson, Shaun Branscome, and Seth Butler.
On defense, DL Peria Jerry was a threat all game long along with fellow DL Demonte Bolden. Brandon Anderson had a great game at CB for the Tigers by breaking up a few passes. Joseph Clark played well from his LB position and Samuel Frist was a solid performer on the DL.
The Tigers will be back in action this Friday October 29th when they travel to Annapolis, MD to play the United States Naval Academy. Game time is scheduled for 2:00.
