Football team shows promise, falls short in 2010 season opener
Posted by The Skyliner on September 1st, 2010Cory Guinn
Sports Editor
A new year and a handful of new players have brought a renewed passion to the North Greenville University football program.
The Crusaders opened the 2010 season on Saturday against Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, NC. Despite a few mistakes in the early portion of the game, North Greenville showed a lot of promise on both sides of the ball. However, the Crusaders fell victim to the Lions’ ability to turn those mistakes into scoring opportunities as Mars Hill picked up the 36-30 victory.
“It’s a long season and one game won’t define our season,” said head coach Jamey Chadwell. “I was pleased with the effort our guys showed on the field today.”
The Lions scored four times in the first quarter, three of which came on a safety, kick return and fumble recovery. The Cursaders got on the scoreboard late in the first quarter on a reverse handoff to wide receiver Freddie Martino, freshman undecided, who scampered 13 yards into the endzone.
On paper, North Greenville outperformed Mars Hill in nearly every statistical category. The Crusaders outgained the Lions in total yardage, rushing yards and passing yards, as well as time of possession and fourth down conversions but the Mars Hill special teams often pinned the North Greenville offense deep in its own territory.
On offense, the Crusader running game shined, collecting 217 yards on the day. Teryan Rucker, freshman elementary education, led the attack rushing 10 times for 85 yards. Idris Anderson, freshman undecided, collected 40 yards on six carries and added a touchdown in the fourth quarter, while Marcus Wilson, freshman biology, added a touchdown of his own.
The passing game showed flashes of brilliance that the team lacked for much of the season in 2009. Reggie Lewis, freshman sport management, started the game and completed 6-11 passes for 94 yards and rushed for 32 yards and a touchdown. Willy Korn, junior broadcast media, was 8-14 with 94 yards as well. Sean Wright, sophomore history, who missed most of last season due to injury, caught four passes for 90 yards and Martino had 59 receiving yards on five receptions.
“We are nowhere near satisified, nowhere near content,” said Korn.
The defense was in top form early, holding 2009’s South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Year Jonas Randolph to only 45 yards on the ground. Cornerback Jereme Green, junior print media, made a statement early and often in the secondary finishing the game with four total tackles, two pass breakups and a sack. Safeties Jamarius Robinson, junior business, and Nick Rosamonda, junior sport management, led the defense with seven and five tackles respectively.
The Crusaders will be on the field again on Saturday, Sept. 4 against Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC at 1:30 pm.
Tags: Fall 2010, Vol. 111 - Issue 1