NCAA Football NEWS
Turnovers Costly As FACS Downs Harding
Published by MoonDog on October 18, 2008
First Assembly Christian School (Memphis, TN) scored twice after Harding Academy (Memphis, TN) turnovers and the Crusaders held off two late rallies by the Lions to win 21-14 Friday night.
All the scoring came in the first half and with the exception of one touchdown, every score came after a turnover.
Harding Academy WR Marlon Brown
Marlon Brown, one of the most highly recruited prep players in the nation, didn’t catch a pass during the game. Brown only had six touches, all of them coming on running plays that totaled less than 50 yards.
Harding got on the board first after FACS fumbled on the first play from scrimmage, recovering the loose ball at the Crusader 26. Four plays later the Lions Drew Chick reached the end zone on a sweep and Harding had a 7-0 lead just three minutes into the game.
The Lions held the Crusaders on their ensuing possession and took over at their 11. After two running plays netted a first down, Harding committed their first turnover of the game when James Adkins fumbled after making a reception, giving the ball to FACS at the Harding 48.
The Crusaders put together an eight-play drive that culminated with Dane Wilson scoring from two yards out to tie it at 7 with 0:48 left in the first quarter.
Harding took the lead with 6:47 left in the first half when Adkins scored on a short run to cap off a nine-play 60-yard drive.
With just over two minutes remaining in the half, the Crusaders were facing fourth and 2 from the Lion 41-yard line.
Running back David Skinner took a hand-off, reversed field and raced down the right sideline 41 yards, scoring with 2:07 left in the half to tie the game at 14.
Harding would commit another costly turnover on their next possession. After the ensuing kickoff, the Lions took over at their 33 with 2:03 remaining in the half. After two plays netted nine yards, on the Lions third play of the drive, Harding’s Austin Mitchell fumbled with 1:03 left.
FACS recovered at the Harding 42 and made the Lions pay for their mistake, needing only four plays to take a 21-14 lead when Andrew Brimhall sneaked in from two yards out with 0:11 left in the half.
In the second half, neither team scored or were able to move the ball much until two frantic final fourth-quarter rally attempts by Harding.
The Lions forced a FACS punt and took over at the 50-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Harding put together a 12-play drive, reaching the FACS 9. But on second and 6 the Lions were called for holding, pushing them back 10 yards and effectively killed the scoring chance.
On fourth and 16, Phillip Branch’s pass to Brown fell incomplete and FACS took over with 5:36 left in the game.
FACS tried to ice the game, using nine plays to melt the clock. The Crusaders converted two huge third downs in the drive, one a third and 12 and the other a third and 11.
Facing another third and 11, Brimhall fumbled at the Harding 39-yard line, with Brown scooping up the loose ball and returned it to the Lion 48 with 0:36 to play.
Two more mistakes cost the Lions dearly. Without any time outs, Harding had to make quick throws and get out of bounds to stop the clock.
Branch completed a short pass to Drew Chick, but he tried to gain yards instead of getting out of bounds immediately, costing Harding at least three seconds.
On the next play, Branch completed a pass to Keilan Stittiams but he failed to get out of bounds and Harding was forced to spike the ball with just 0:05 remaining.
With the ball at the FACS 30, Branch attempted a pass to Brown but it was batted down to end the game.
FACS improved to 7-0, 5-0 in Division 2-A while Harding fell to 6-2, 4-1. Harding’s inability to stop the Crusaders on third and fourth down throughout the game contributed to the loss. FACS converted three of four on fourth down to keep drives alive.
The Lions play calling was perplexing to say the least. Brown, clearly the most talented player on the field, only had three passes thrown his way during the game. FACS bracketed him throughout the contest, using a corner to chuck him at the line of scrimmage and a safety to help.
FACS used the “Tampa Two” throughout the game and held Harding to their worst offensive output of the season.
Harding will face Tipton-Rosemark on October 24, the Lions Homecoming. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Central.
Similar Posts:
- Marlon Brown, Phillip Branch Lead Harding to 2-A Finals
- Marlon Brown Leads Harding Lions To Big Win
- Marlon Brown Scores Three TD’s vs Davidson Academy
- Marlon Brown Gets Visits From Ohio State, Ole Miss
- Marlon Brown Leads Harding To Season Opening Win
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...186 views
None
 |
 |
||
|
|||
 |
|
