Big fourth quarter offense propels Hawks to upset victory
Published 12:08 pm Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Hawks running back J.R. Williams on run during the second half. Williams ran for 17 yards during the game. — Frank Davis | Tidewater News
Murfreesboro, N.C.—Down 20-22 with 7:07 remaining in the final quarter of play, Chowan Hawks quarterback Dain McFarland went to the air and connected on a 4-yard touchdown pass that resulted in a 26-22 CIAA non-conference matchup win for the Hawks over the Fayetteville State University Broncos.
Playing on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Garrison Stadium on the campus of Chowan University, wide receiver Damian Ellis pulled in the game winning pass.
With the score tied at 6-all at the end of the first half, the Broncos took the lead in the third quarter following a 1 yard touchdown run by Marquavi Alston. Antonio Mayo added the extra point to put the Broncos up 13-6. The Broncos added 2 more points in the third quarter following a safety to advance the score in their favor to 15-6.
Entering the final quarter of play, the home team reached play dirt on a 2-yard run by DaSean Martin and Nick Hahula booted the extra point to close the score to 13-15 favoring the road team. The Broncos answered back with a 59 yard pass from Derek Bryant to Ricardo White. The Maya kick advanced the Bronco lead to 22-13 with 11:07 remaining to be played.
On the Bronco kick-off, Antjuan Randall escaped all tacklers and raced to a 95 yard touchdown. The Hahula kick closed the gap to 20-22 favoring Fayetteville.
The Broncos fumbled on the next possession, and the Hawks recovered the ball to secure the momentum. The six-play 69-yard drive capped by McFarland’s four yard pass to Ellis to take a 26-22 lead, having scored 20 points in the fourth quarter of play. Chowan’s defense held the Broncos at-bay for the remainder of the contest, allowing the Hawks to secure the 26-22 victory.
The Hawks ended the game with 148 yards rushing and 158 yards passing. DaSean Martin led all rushers with 133 yards. McFarland finished the night 21-37 passing.
Roderick Lindsey had six solo tackles for the Hawks followed by Marcel Burns with five.
The victory was an upset, as the Broncos were No. 2 in the preseason polls for the Southern Division compared to the Hawks at No. 4 in the north. The game between conference foes was scheduled as a non-conference match.
The Hawks will take to the road on Sept. 13 for a noon game against the Alderson-Broaddus Battlers for a non-conference matchup.