October 11, 2008

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Lions upset Newberry College Saturday afternoon in the Mars Hill's annual Homecoming game, 27-6, at the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares stadium. MHC improved to 4-3 overall, 1-2 in the SAC. Newberry, ranked 22nd in the D2Football.com poll and 25th in the AFCA Coaches' Poll, fell to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the league.

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.

Newberry got on the board in the second quarter on the legs of running back Tharry Salley (Blackville, S.C.), who had rushes of 13 and 26 yards, with the second rush finding the endzone. Blackmon's PAT attempt hit the right upright, leaving the score at 14-6.

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.

Salley was the leading rusher for Newberry with 90 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Stripling's 13 carries for 96 yards and two scores led the Lions ground attack.

Newberry quarterbacks McCollom and Brandon Gantt (Lexington, S.C.) combined to complete 10-of-26 passes for 84 yards with two interceptions. MHC's Spradling was 6-of-16 for 90 yards and a touchdown.

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.

Defensively, Newberry was led by Mike Grase (Rock Hill, S.C.), who made 13 tackles, three of which were for a loss. Devon Smalls (Hollywood, S.C.) and Will Newell (Irmo, S.C.) each made 10 tackles.

Mars Hill hosts SAC rival Brevard College for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff next Saturday. MHC is 114-90-1 at home. MHC leads the series against the Tornados, 2-0. Newberry returns home next week to host Wingate at 7 p.m.

Boxscore...

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