North Greenville football wraps up season with a loss against UNC-Pembroke
Posted by The Skyliner on November 11th, 2009
The Crusader defense lines up against the UNC-Pembroke offense in the 2009 season finale Saturday at Younts Stadium. The Crusaders fell 42-14. (Photo by Skyliner Staff)
Cory Guinn
Copy Editor
On Nov. 7, the North Greenville Crusaders finished their season against the No. 19 UNC-Pembroke Braves. UNC-Pembroke, the third Division II top 25 team on the Crusaders’ schedule, scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to open up a close game and come away with a 42-14 victory over North Greenville.
North Greenville (2-8) scored first when Isaiah Johnson, freshman business administration, ran a UNC-Pembroke punt 49 yards to the end zone in the opening quarter.
The Braves scored on their next drive to tie the game at seven apiece. UNC-Pembroke (9-1) continued to execute on offense and put big numbers on the scoreboard.
The Crusaders scored their final touchdown of the day in the fourth quarter when Justin Beasley, freshman sport management, took the ball and ran two yards into the end zone.
“Isaiah Johnson did well on kickoffs and punt returns today, and Aaron Seigler came in and did some good things,” head coach Jamey Chadwell said.
“We’ve got an awfully young team which is still learning how to play. But, you’ve got to be proud of what we’ve done this year,” Chadwell said.
The Crusader offense totaled only 235 yards in the game, 225 of which came on the ground. Beasley led the rushing attack carrying 16 times for a season-high 72 yards and one touchdown.
Montez Hatten, sophomore business, ran the ball 13 times for 57 yards and Aaron Seigler, freshman business administration, rushed for 50 yards.
“Hard work is the only way you get better at anything,” offensive lineman James Thurn, junior broadcast media, said. “This offseason gives us a chance to better understand and learn the offense. We made strides during the season and got better, but we have a lot of work to do.”
On a day when seven seniors, six from the defensive side of the ball, were honored, the North Greenville defense played strong. Nick Rosamonda, sophomore sport management, led the defense with seven total tackles.
Andre Bernardi, senior sport management, finished with 3.5 total tackles and fell just one sack short of the NCAA Division II record for career sacks.
Damien Wright, graduate student, Doug Wilson, senior business administration, and Coty Black, junior Christian studies, each totaled 3.5 tackles in the game.
“The season didn’t turn out quite like we wanted but now all we can do is work hard to ensure we are more successful next season,” Nathan Batchelor, sophomore business administration said.
“This season taught us to overcome adversity and if we can play hard when we are on the bottom then we can play hard when we are on top,” Batchelor said.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 9