Mars Hill wrapped up the 2008 campaign 7-4 overall and 4-3 in the South Atlantic Conference.  It was the most successful campaign since the 2002 season.  The Lions lose 18 seniors off this year’s squad.  Looking back at the season we have created a year-in-review.

Furman
Mars Hill opened the 2008 season at Division I Furman University. The game marked the first time the two teams had met since 1985. George Stripling (Jacksonville, Flab.) scored the first touchdown of the season for Mars Hill in the second half on a run from six yards out. Michael Pinkerton (Bogart, Ga.) nailed his first PAT kick as a Lion. Quarterback Luis Cruz (Anaheim Ca.) scored the first touchdown of his collegiate career on an eight-yard run with 3:29 left in the game.  
                MHC tallied 172 total yards, 98 rushing. Stripling had 32 yards rushing and one score while Cruz threw for 74 yards. Frankie Waters (Brevard, N.C.) caught three passes for 36 yards to lead the wide receiver corps. Keadran Pinckney (North, S.C.) led MHC with a game high 18 tackles (11 solo). Zach Johnson (Newland, N.C.) followed with seven stops and a tackle-for-loss. Furman defeated Mars Hill 62-14. Furman improved to 3-0 all-time against Mars Hill on the gridiron. The setback was only the Lions second opening-season loss in the last seven years.

University of the Cumberlands
In the Lions home opener, MHC accumulated 518 yards of offense, including 291 on the ground. Jonas Randolph (Daleville, Ala.) led the Lions averaging 14.2 yards per rush and two scores while George Washington (Warner Robbins, Ga.) accumulated 120 yards (6.3 avg.) and one touchdown.
                Starting quarterback Ricky Spradling (Roan Mountain, Tenn.) returned to action for the first time in 2008 and completed 12-20 passes for 211 yards. Tyrea Allen (Murphy, N.C.) was on the receiving end of four of those passes for 87 yards.   Chris Dowdell (Riverdale, Ga.) led the Lions' defense with 10 tackles (6 solo), a tackle-for-loss, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Zach Johnson followed with a game high 12 stops (9 solo). Deshun Nesbitt (Asheville, N.C.) led the secondary with an interception, two pass breakups and three tackles. The win improved the Lions to 3-0-1 all-time record against the University of the Cumberlands.

St. Augustine's
                Mars Hill opened a 17-0 halftime lead on Michael Pinkerton’s Bogart, Ga.) field goal, George Washington’s (Warner Robbins, Ga.) 12-yard scoring run and Ricky Spradling’s (Roan Mountain, Tenn.) 50-yard touchdown pass to John Brown (Daleville, Ala.). Washington added a seven-yard touchdown run for a 24-0 third quarter lead, and Garrison McDowell (Landrum, S.C.) scored on a 35-yard run for a 31-7 fourth quarter lead.
                The Lions gained 304 total offensive yards including 229 rushing yards. Washington led the Lions with 124 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. Free safety Keadran Pinckney (North, S.C.) recorded a game-high 10 tackles for the Lions.  The Falcons had three turnovers which led to 10 points for the Lions, while the Lions had three turnovers which led to seven points for the Falcons.  The Lions lead the season series 5-1 including two straight victories over the Falcons.

West Liberty State
                Tyrea Allen (Murphy, N.C.) caught a 73-yard touchdown strike from Ricky Spradling (Roan Mountain, Tenn.) with 13:17 left in the fourth quarter to propel the Lions to a 38-35 road victory at West Liberty State College. MHC improved to 3-1 on the year and won its second consecutive non-conference game.
                Jonas Randolph (Daleville, Ala.), Ricky Spradling and George Washington (Warner Robbins, Ga.) all had rushing touchdowns in the first half of play.  The Hilltoppers took a 28-21 lead with 5:46 left in the third stanza before Allen caught a 71-yard touchdown pass from Spradling on the Lions' first play from scrimmage on the ensuing possession to tie the game again at 28-all. Pinkerton then nailed an important 37-yard field goal at the 1:08 mark in the third quarter. Those three points would later prove to be the difference in the game.
                Allen finished the day with six catches for 195 yards and two scores. Spradling was 10-18 for 322 yards, two yards shy of the single-game record for passing yards. Washington rushed for 84 yards on 25 carries.  Zach Johnson (Newland, N.C.) led the Lions' defense with eight tackles (7 solo), four tackles-for-loss and a sack. Brandon Edmond (East Dublin, Ga.) followed with seven stops, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.  Pinkerton was a perfect 5-5 in PAT kicks plus the 37-yard field goal.
                With the victory, Mars Hill won its second consecutive game and improved to 2-0 all-time against West Liberty State.  For their efforts, Tyrea Allen and Michael Pinkerton were named the SAC Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week.

Catawba
                The Lions' football team lost their 2008 SAC opener and second consecutive game to Catawba College by a score of 24-7. MHC fell to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the SAC.
                MHC's lone score came after Elroy Harris (Orlando, Fla.) scored his first touchdown of the season from three yards out to tie the game at 7-all with 2:24 left in the opening frame.  Ricky Spradling (Roan Mountain, Tenn.) threw for 239 yards and completed 18-of-36 passes. Tyrea Allen (Murphy, N.C.) was on the receiving end of five of those passes for 103 yards.  Zach Johnson (Newland, N.C.) led the defense with 10 tackles, six solo and a pass break-up. Darius Clark (Lancaster, Calif.) recorded 11 stops (7 solo). Stan Galbraith (Birmingham, Ala.) tallied six tackles, one for loss and a fumble recovery.

Carson-Newman
                Mars Hill dropped its second consecutive conference game after a 61-49 loss to the Eagles of Carson Newman.  The Mars Hill offense was impressive, piling up 547 yards. The Lions did so on 81 plays from scrimmage, while Carson-Newman ran just 49 offensive plays.
                Mars Hill quarterback Ricky Spradling (Roan Mountain, Tenn.) was 15-of-31 through the air for 247 yards and four touchdowns. His four touchdowns tied a single-game school record held by Gary Lackey and Ashley Abernathy. He also ran for a score. John Brown (Homestead, Fla.) and Tyrea Allen (Murphy, N.C.) each had four catches, for 104 and 83 yards, respectively. Brown and Elroy Harris (Orlando, Fla.) recorded two touchdown receptions apiece.
                George Washington (Warner Robbins, Ga.) contributed 138 rushing yards and one touchdown for the Lions. Allen added 83 yards on four rushes. Michael Pinkerton's seven extra points in the game were one shy of the Mars Hill school record of eight set by Mike Davidson in 1980 against Guilford.  

Newberry
The Lions won its first SAC game of 2008 and defeated No. 22-ranked Newberry College for the first time since 2004 in Mars Hill's annual Homecoming game, 27-6. MHC improved to 4-3 overall, 1-2 in the SAC. The win marked the Lions first victory over a ranked opponent in its last five tries.
                MHC held the Newberry offense to just 225 total yards on 60 plays, 125 yards under their season-to-date average. Mars Hill was only ahead by a single score at the half, but pulled away with two second half touchdowns.
                Newberry forced Mars Hill to turn the ball over on downs on the game's first drive. Newberry proceeded to drive down to the Lions 21, but a field goal attempt from Britt Blackmon (Kershaw, S.C.) went just wide left.  After forcing another Lion punt, the Newberry offense was snuffed out near midfield, when Zach Johnson (Newland, N.C.) intercepted a pass by Eric McCollom (Camden, S.C.).
                MHC quarterback Ricky Spradling (Roan Mountain, Tenn.) connected with Frankie Waters (Brevard, N.C.) for a 32-yard touchdown pass on the next play to put the Lions ahead, 7-0. On the ensuing kickoff, Mars Hill's Kadeem Morgan (Asheville, N.C.) forced a fumble, which was recovered by Jonas Randolph (Daleville, Ala.) at the Newberry 21. On the third play of the drive, Spradling scrambled 22 yards to paydirt, giving the Lions a 14-0 advantage.
                In the second half, Mars Hill controlled the game on offense, giving Newberry few opportunities to score. The Lions scored on a 7-yard George Stripling (Jacksonville, Fla.) run with 7:00 left in the third quarter that was set up by a spectacular diving catch by Waters in the Newberry red zone. The PAT was missed, making it a 20-7 ball game.  The hosts put the game away with 12:09 left in the game, when Stripling went on a weaving 70-yard touchdown run for the final score of the afternoon.
                Johnson was the Lions' leader on defense with nine tackles, two sacks, three tackles for a loss and an interception for a 15-yard return. Johnson's pick led to the Lions' first score of the game. On second and seven from the Newberry 47-yardline, Johnson intercepted McCollom and returned the ball 15 yards to the NC 32-yardline. Spradling then connected with Waters on the 32-yard TD strike. Stan Galbraith (Birmingham, Ala.) also tallied nine stops (6 solo), two tackles-for-loss and a sack. Deshun Nesbitt (Asheville, N.C.) led the Lions' secondary with an interception and four tackles.  For his effort against Newberry, Johnson was named the SAC Defensive Player of the Week.

Brevard
Following the Homecoming triumph, the Lions' football squad defeated Brevard College, 28-14. Mars Hill improved to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the SAC. The win marked the Lions' third consecutive victory over the Tornados since Brevard joined the SAC.
                With Brevard leading 7-0 early in the first quarter, quarterback Ricky Spradling (Roan Mountain, Tenn.) connected with running back George Stripling (Jacksonville, Fla.) out of the backfield on an 18-yard touchdown pass, which topped off an 11-play, 63-yard drive. The extra point attempt would fail as the holder miss handled the snap, leaving the Tornados ahead by one at 7-6.
                The Lions would find the end zone again midway through the second quarter, as tailback George Washington (Warner Robbins, Ga.) scored on a 5-yard touchdown off the right-side of the offensive line to give Mars Hill their first lead of the game at 13-7 with 13:40 left in the opening half.   The two-teams would go scoreless for the remainder of the first half.
                In the third quarter, the Tornados scored first, but Mars Hill again had an answer, as the Lions drove down the field on their next offensive series. Washington scored on a 22-yard draw play up the middle to put the Lions back on top 19-14. Mars Hill elected to go for a two-point conversion, in which Spradling hit Elroy Harris (Orlando, Fla.) in the left side of the end zone to put the Lions up by one-touchdown at 21-14. That score would later prove to be the game winning play.  Mars Hill added an insurance score with 8:14 remaining in the game, as wide receiver Tyrea Allen (Murphy, N.C.) scored on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Spradling to put the Lions up for good at 28-14.
                The Lions had 358 total yards, with 213 coming on the ground by way of a number of rushers.  Spradling was 13-of-18 for 145 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while also rushing six times for 38 yards. Washington led the way with 92 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns, while Stripling had 73 yards on 12 rushing attempts. Allen had six catches for 64 yards and one touchdown.   Safety Keadran Pinckney (North, S.C.) led the way for Mars Hill with 13 total tackles (8 solo), while defensive lineman Jeff Pell (West Jefferson, N.C.) had 11 tackles (6 solo) and one sack to go along with a forced fumble. Zach Johnson (Newland, N.C.) and Maurice Harris (Hendersonville, N.C.) tallied nine tackles apiece.

Lenoir-Rhyne
                Mars Hill took advantage of five lost fumbles in defeating Lenoir-Rhyne University 37-24, The win improved Mars Hill to 6-3 and 3-2 in the SAC. The Lions recorded their second consecutive victory over the Bears and have won four of the last five meetings.
                Mars Hill, which trailed by scores of 14-0 in the second quarter and 17-7 at halftime, scored 30 points after intermission in picking up its third straight win. The Lions had not recorded two three-game winning streaks in the same season since 2003, when the Lions won four straight to open that year.
                Lion quarterback Ricky Spradling (Roan Mountain, Tenn.) passed for 278 yards and three touchdowns while receiver John Brown (Homestead, Fla.) scored two key touchdowns in the second half en route to the win.  Three consecutive fumbles by the Bears to start the third quarter helped the Lions take a 20-17 advantage culminated by Spradling's two-yard touchdown pass to Chad Fekany (Orlando, Fla.).
                Lenoir-Rhyne answered to take back the lead at 24-20 on the last play of the third quarter.  Mars Hill responded on the ensuing kickoff when John Brown (Homestead, Fla.) returned it 87 yards for the score on the first play of the fourth quarter to make a 27-24 advantage in the Lions' favor.  Brown added a 60-yard touchdown reception on Mars Hill's next drive.  Michael Pinkerton (Bogart, Ga.) finished off the scoring with his third field goal of the game, one shy of the single-game record, a 25-yarder with 6:29 left. His 13-kick scoring points in a single game broke Mars Hill's old record of 12 set by David Shealy in 1984 against Savannah State.
                Brown would finish with 127 yards receiving on six catches while Tyrea Allen (Murphy, N.C.) added a game-high 149 receiving yards on six catches and a touchdown, including a 75-yarder in the second quarter.  Mars Hill's defense was spearheaded by Keadran Pinckney (North S,C.) with 14 tackles while Stan Galbraith (Birmingham, Ala.) recovered three fumbles to go along with eight tackles.  For their efforts, Galbraith and Brown garnered SAC Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Week honors, respectively. Galbraith was also selected as the D2Football.com National Defensive Player of the Week.

Tusculum
                The Lions lost their final home contest of the season to Tusculum College, 33-28. MHC fell to 6-4 overall and 3-3 in the SAC. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak.
The game did not start in the Lions favor as the Pioneers put two touchdowns on the board in the first five minutes of play.
                Tyrea Allen (Murphy, N.C.) brought the Lions within six points of TC with 1:39 left in the first frame after he caught a 26-yard strike from Ricky Spradling (Roan Mountain, Tenn.). Spradling found John Brown (Homestead, Fla.) at the 9:34 mark in the second quarter on a 25-yard scoring pass and after a successful PAT kick by Michael Pinkerton (Bogart, Ga.), MHC enjoyed their only lead of the contest.
                The only score in the third stanza came at the 9:09 mark when Elroy Harris (Orlando, Fla.) plunged in from three-yards out to bring the Lions within six points (27-21) after Pinkerton split the uprights on the PAT attempt.  Trailing 33-21, Allen found the end zone on a reverse with 7:02 left in regulation and after Pinkerton again nailed the point after, MHC trailed only 33-28.
                On the ensuing kickoff, Tusculum fumbled on the Pioneer 21-yardline and Jermaine Johnson (Thomasville, Ga.) recovered the ball with 6:50 left in the contest. MHC could not move the ball on their first three downs and on fourth and 10 from the Pioneers' 21 yardline, Spradling was picked off at the TC four yard line. The Tusculum offense picked up two first downs to run out the clock and leave Mars Hill with the five-point loss.
                Spradling led the Lions' offense with 68 yards rushing and 157 yards passing. He threw a pair of touchdown passes to Allen and Brown.  Zach Johnson (Newland, N.C.) led Mars Hill's defense with seven tackles (4 solo), two for loss and a sack. Jeff Pell (West Jefferson, N.C.) followed with six tackles (5 solo). Stan Galbraith (Birmingham, Ala.) also had six stops, two for loss, and the same number of sacks.
               
Wingate
                Subbing for the injured Ricky Spradling, Mars Hill freshman quarterback Luis Cruz (Anaheim, Calif.) completed seven passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns as the Lions rallied from a 13-point first half deficit en route to a 45-42 South Atlantic Conference football victory over No. 22-ranked Wingate University. The Lions defeated the Bulldogs for the first time since 2005.
                George Washington (Warner Robbins, Ga.) rushed 14 times for 122 yards and one score in his final collegiate game while John Brown (Homestead, Fla.) caught four passes for 126 yards and two scores. Brown also returned three kickoffs for 91 yards.  Keadran Pinckney (North, S.C.) and Zach Johnson (Newland, N.C.) each tallied 10 tackles. Maurice Harris (Hendersonville, N.C.) recorded three sacks and four solo tackles.
                Mars Hill finished the 2008 campaign 7-4 overall and 4-3 in the SAC. The Lions won seven games in a single season for the first time since 2003.

Head Coach Tim Clifton on the season:
“This was the most resilient team I have ever coached.  These players battled adversity all year by overcoming key injuries and finding a way to win all season.”

Final Notes:
                Mars Hill finished in the final rankings ranked seventh in Super Regional 2 ahead of conference foes Wingate and Newberry.
                Mars Hill's team total of 341 points scored this season is a new school record surpassing the 1994 record of 327 points scored.  Michael Pinkerton's 42 PATs this season broke the school and team record for PATs in a season of 32 previously held by Craig Bost in 1994.
                Pinkerton's 84 kick scoring points this season (63 points on PATs + 21 points on seven made field goals) is a new single season school record surpassing the old record of 65 points held by Stan Curry in 1974. Ricky Spradling passed for 15 touchdowns in 2008. His effort was one TD pass shy of tying the school record of 16 set by Joe Pizzo in 1985.

Postseason Accolades
                Mars Hill placed eight players on the All-South Atlantic Conference football teams. John Brown (Homestead, Fla.) was named the SAC Freshman of the Year after leading the league in all-purpose yards per game (133.8 yds/gm).
                Brown, who led the team with seven touchdown receptions and led the conference in all-purpose yards, was also named Offensive Freshman of the Year.

2008 All-SAC Football Teams

First Team - Offense
Wide Receiver - Tyrea Allen, Mars Hill

First Team - Defense
Defensive Line - Chris Dowdell, Mars Hill
Defensive Back - Deshon Nesbitt, Mars Hill

Second Team - Offense
Running Back - George Washington, Mars Hill
Offensive Line - Eric Nelson, Mars Hill
Offensive Line - Josh Sims, Mars Hill
Placekicker - Michael Pinkerton, Mars Hill

Second Team - Defense
Linebacker - Stan Galbraith, Mars Hill

Offensive Freshman of The Year
 John Brown, Mars Hill

2008 SAC Statistical Champions
All-Purpose yards per game - John Brown, Mars Hill, 133.8
Interceptions per game - Deshun Nesbitt, Mars Hill, .56
Sacks per game - Maurice Harris, Mars Hill, .78

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