Fall 2006 PG Football vs. #13 Bridgewater College

PG Tigers Take Down #13 Bridgewater College 35-20
Hargrave Passes Their Way Past the Eagles

Hargrave Military Academy Post Graduate Football team used a strong passing effort and solid defensive performance to upend the Bridgewater College Eagles 35-20 Thursday night on the campus of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Three of Hargrave’s quarterbacks combined for 435 yards through the air on the evening giving the Tigers an offensive advantage.

Bridgewater did get on the board first with a 35 yard touchdown pass, but the Tigers would respond when quarterback Andrew Calantone connected with Maryland bound receiver Ronnie Tyler for a 50 yards strike to tie the game at seven. The Tigers had their chance on the previous possession but was unable to come up with any points on the goal line. The drive was set up when Calantone hooked up with Auburn signee Chris Slaughter on a 60-yard bomb. The Tigers would fumble on the next play to stall the drive.

After a solid defensive stop led by linebackers Chris Drayton, Almondo Sewell, defensive linemen Jon Hollins, Miguel Chavis, Clifton Geathers, and defensive backs Ras-I Dowling, Jerrell Leak, Gerald Price, and Jimmaul Simmons, the Tigers got the ball back for the offense to go back to work.

Again Calantone spent little time helping move the PG offense down the field. He completed three passes in a row, a 30 yard bullet to receiver Brent Vinson, another 40 yard toss to Slaughter, and the drive ended in fine fashion when he hit receiver Ben Finney on a ten yard touchdown pass to put the Tigers up 14-7 in the first half.

The Eagles would move the ball down field before the half, but the defense would hold BC to a field goal attempt that split the uprights to cut the lead to 14-10 heading into the half.

The second half proved to be much of the same as the defense held off most of the Bridgewater scoring attempts and the offense continued to show flashes of greatness. This time it was quarterback Jamie Childers who drove the Tigers down the field. He hit Finney on two passes along the way, one being a 35-yard frozen rope. Then Childers helped his own cause by toting the rock three times on the drive with the last one ending in another touchdown as the mobile quarterback took it in from 10 yards out to give the Tigers a 21-10 lead.

Bridgewater would answer with another field goal to cut the lead yet again to 21-13, but would not find much more success until late in the game. The defense would stand tall for the remainder of the evening with the help of other outstanding performances by Cowles Stewart, Kyle Anderson, Ladi Ajiboye, and Kareem Crowell. The Tigers also had a lot of help along the offensive line where Bruce Campbell, Craig Wilson, Justin Anderson, Mike Phillips, Zach Hillary, Ben Harden, and Billy Cuffee. Others who contributed are Justin Keown, Charles Byrne, Tyler Darden, and Ryan Tillman.

The Tigers would score again, this time led by quarterback Emanuel Francis. Francis moved the PG’s down field with a few big plays. Running back HB Banjoman had a 20 yard scamper behind the blocking of Richard Parker, receiver Livington Senatus came up with a big 30 yard reception before Francis found Brent Vinson on a 25 yard touchdown pass to put the Tigers up 28-13.

The Eagles added another late score, but so did the Tigers. Running backs Randell Bell and Richard Parker ran for a few yards before quarterback Jamie Childers took the ball around the left side for 50 yards and the final score of the game. Kyle Hughes added the extra point and was 5 for 5 on the night with PAT’s.

All together the Tigers had three receivers who reached the century mark in yards on the night. Chris Slaughter, Brent Vinson, and Ronnie Tyler all eclipsed the mark, but Ben Finney was also close and tight end Garrett Utt had a catch to go along with the others.

Hargrave Military Academy logo.