“PREP SCHOOL BOWL” 2012…HARGRAVE WINS!

Scott McConnell

It was a dramatic ending to a game filled with adversity for the Hargrave Post Graduate Football Team. The final score was 12-10 in favor of the Tigers, which concluded their season with a 7-3 record. The annual matchup between the two Prep Schools is always a battle and this year’s version was no different.

Hargrave quarterback Jerimy Mask stepped up for the occasion throwing for 112 yards, rushing for 63 yards, and completed 2 key touchdown passes at the end of the game to pull the victory away from FUMA. Jerimy played a plethora of positions on the year, but when needed he led the team to very emotional victory. Cordrea Tankersley caught the first touchdown pass as he beat the Fork Union defender on a toe tapping grab in the back corner of the end zone with 4:00 minutes to go. On the following possession for Hargrave, with :35 seconds to play, Wide Receiver Antoine Barnes muscled past the pressed up corner for Fork Union and made a diving catch to take the lead. Barnes finished the day with 3 catches and 63 yards, none bigger than his final 36 yard grab for the game winner. Willie Stubblefield, Willie Davis, Isaac Robinson and Nate Stazewski each contributed in the run and pass game on the day to help the offense move down field. The offensive line played stingy and kept the FUMA front line at bay most of the day. Oliver Lumpkin, Brenden Vechery, Sunny Odogwu, Dion Dawkins and Brandon Hill each helped forming a wall across the front line that was hard to penetrate for the opposing defense.

The Hargrave Defensive unit played an outstanding game that came together as the held Fork Union on a fourth down and 1 that allowed the offense to come back on the field. Defensive Back Tyree Mack turned in an outstanding performance with 6 tackles and 4 pass break-ups. The FUMA offense kept trying to match up there talented WR against Tyree, and he answered play after play. Brian Nance, Kivon Coman and John Atkins each collected 8 tackles to help anchor the stingy defense. The defense also accounted for 2 block field goals and 1 blocked punt. Nathan Holmes and John Atkins eached blocked a field goal while Leonard Floyd blocked the punt. The blocked punt helped set up the first score for the Tigers. The play by the ferocious Tiger defensive line was unstoppable most of the day. LaVonne Gauthney had another huge day on the defensive front held down the inside, while being flanked my fellow defensive tackle John Atkins and Defensive End Shaq Lawson. Key defensive stops kept the Tigers in the game and allowed the pressure to topple on top of the FUMA offense. Kivon Coman sealed the game with an interception as time expired.

The game came down to a thrilling finish, which was put forth by a team that was able to keep their focus towards their ultimate goal of defeating their rival and battling not only the adversity they dealt with during the game, but from the whole season. It was a great way to end a winning season. Coach Troy Davis, his staff, and the team would like to thank everyone for their support, especially Hargrave President BG Don Broome, and Board of Trustees Chairman Robert White.

PGFB at FUMA