NEWPORT NEWS, VA—The Greensboro College football team made their final USA South Conference trip to take on the Captains of Christopher Newport. The Pride struck early in the contest but fell by a final score of 45-31.
On the opening kickoff of the game, Warren Scott gave the Pride an immediate boost by returning the opening kick 69 yard to give Greensboro the ball on the CNU 22 yard line. After the Scott return it only took the Pride three plays to get on the board. Ryan Throndset found Ray Bridges in the end zone from 16 yards out to give Greensboro an early 7-0 lead after an Amilicar Martinez point after.
After Greensboro jumped out the 7-0, CNU then scored the game's next 17 points to take a 17-7 lead.
Greensboro College did not back down as they were able to pull within three points after their opening drive of the second quarter of play. The Pride used only eight plays to go 75 yards that was capped off by a Throndset touchdown pass to tight end Adrian Slade from 8 yards out making the score 17-14.
The Captains however were able to put 14 more points on the board to take a 31-14 lead into the halftime break.
When the game resumed after the intermission period, the Greensboro defense came up big. Christopher Newport had the ball on the Pride 46 yard line before linebacker Chase Sams put a big hit on the CNU quarterback whose errant pass found the hands of William Heiligenhaler giving Greensboro the ball on the Captains 22 yard line.
The Pride was able to capitalize on the Captains miscue. Freshman kicker Amilicar Martinez connected on his second field goal on the season from 36 yards out bringing the game to 31-17.
The Captains were once again able to extend their lead back out by scoring 14 unanswered points taking a 45-17 lead into the fourth quarter of play,
Once again the Pride did not go away easy as Mac Graham found Raymond Jackson from 19 yards out to bring the score to 45-24 with six minutes left to play. Greensboro College was not done with putting points on the board.
On their very next possession, Greensboro College was able to quickly push the ball down the field to cut into the deficit. After getting the ball on the CNU 48 yard line following a blocked punt by Khalil Spears, Graham then completed three straight passes including a 26 yard touchdown strike to Gregory Clifton making the score 45-31.
The Pride would try and onside kick to get the ball back, but the Captains were able to recover and hold on for the victory.
Pride starting quarterback Ryan Throndset finished the game with 74 yards and two touchdowns, but it was Mac Graham who led the way through the air with 8 completions for 148 yards and two touchdowns.
The Pride recorded their highest rushing total of the year with 159 yards on 28 carries. Warren Scott led the way with 79 yards with 17 carries while Ray Bridges added 54.
Mart Grinton anchored the Pride defense while recording 11 total tackles. Grinton, Sams, Tyrone Barber, Heiligenhaler, Trey Daniels, Will Thomas, Kendrick Mines, and James McClease assisted in the five total tackles for loss in the contest.
With the loss, the Pride's overall record falls to 1-6 overall and 1-4 in USA South Conference play. The Pride will return home next weekend as they host Ferrum College on homecoming. The kickoff is set for 4:00 PM.
