NGU stepped up in homecoming game v. Shorter University
Whitley Bras, Staff Writer
North Greenville University(NGU) hosted their homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 13. The crusader football team played the hawks of Shorter University. NGU gave their all and came out with an impressive 41-7 win against the hawks. Throughout the game NGU showcased their tough defensive skills and allowed their offensive line to speak for itself with long runs and accurate passes.
The first quarter started out strong with NGU possession and the offense was able to make strides for the team. The quarterback for a majority of the game was number 10, Will Hunter a Senior. Mid-way into the quarter Shorter earned a reception near the crusader end zone, but NGU was able to come back and kept them scrambling with effective defense. North Greenville then regained possession with an interception by number 13, Aaron Watson. Later in the quarter, NGU earned the first touchdown by number seven, Demajiay Rooks a wide receiver for the crusaders. Although NGU missed the field goal to earn them another point they were able to stay strong through the end of the quarter, which ended with a 6-0 score in favor of the crusaders.
The start of the second quarter saw the shorter hawks with possession but NGU was able to keep them contained and after some back and forth between possession and punts the crusaders were able to score a touchdown 10 minutes into the quarter. This put NGU up 13-0 against the hawks with time to spare in the half. North Greenville was fired up on offense and number 13 Aaron Watson was able to grab an interception and run it to the end zone, but the home crowd was dismayed when the referees called a side line interference against the crusaders resulting in a 15-yard penalty. Even after the set back NGU was able to gain momentum and come back with a third touchdown of the game by number 29, freshman running back, EJ Humphrey. This was made at the four-minute mark and put the crusaders up by 20. A strong defensive play by number 91, senior Seth Laughter came when he sacked the quarterback. Although, Shorter University was able to score a touchdown with only 11 seconds left in the quarter the North Greenville crusaders had an extremely successful first half. The score going into halftime was 20-7 with NGU in favor.
NGU kept up the action in the third quarter and was pushing the Shorter hawks heavily on defense. Shorter was getting frazzled and had two incomplete passes in a row and a fumble that led to an interception by the crusaders. NGU offense was making strides for the team. A great run was by number 19, Lucas Catalfomo at the 10-minute mark. A minute later North Greenville was able to gain a touchdown in the ninth minute of play. The touchdown was completed by a long ball from quarterback, Will Hunter to number 2, wide receiver Ken Drummond. This made the score 27-7 after kicker number 23, William Lawson completed a field goal. NGU defense stayed strong until the crusaders were able to gain possession back. With Five minutes left in the third quarter North Greenville gained another touchdown. The score was completed by number 5, Kyle Belack who made a remarkable 50-yard run to the end zone after weaving past several Shorter University players. Defense continued to make strong moves and offensive players were doing their best to get readily open for the quarterback. The score ending the third quarter was 34-7.
The fourth quarter played out similar to the rest of the game. NGU was the stronger team as far as offensively and defensively and they had intimidating power going through the quarter. Offensively North Greenville showed that they had the ability to get open and make plays. At the nine-minute mark NGU got another touchdown making the score 41-7. During the last portion of the game North Greenville switched quarterbacks and number 18, Donny Baker came in the game. Going through the last part of the quarter there was some heated tension between the hawks and crusaders. Even so, North Greenville stayed strong until the end of the quarter and was able to earn a considerable victory over the Shorter University hawks.
The final score of the game was 41-7 with NGU earning the win. North Greenville University now stands with a record of 3-1 in the Gulf South Conference and 4-2 overall for the season. The North Greenville crusaders are staying energetic through the season and are proving to show for a successful year. Their schedule can be found online and there are several more games left in the season so make sure to come out and support the North Greenville University football team for the 2018-2019 season.
Sources: North Greenville University football team, NGU athletics, Gulf South Conference
