BEARS FALL SHORT IN COMEBACK LOST TO EAGLES
The Shaw University Bears traveled to Durham, NC to face the red-hot Eagles of N.C. Central in the 1st Annual Willie E. Gary Triangle Classic. The Bears were officially the home team, but the game was played at N.C. Central’s O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium. The N. C. Central Eagles held on for a 37-31 thriller, when the Bears scored 21 unanswered fourth quarter points. The win extended the Eagles win streak to four, while the Bears dropped to 1-3.
Before a crowd of 8,312, the Bears scored first with 10:11 left in the first quarter when Jermonty Kimbrough (5’11, 190-JR/QB-Mobile, AL) completed a 11 play, 73 yard drive on a 12 yard run. After a successful defensive stop, SU made their first big mistake of the game when a Kimbrough pitch to Dion McIver (6’0, 201-SR/RB-Lillington, NC) was fumbled and the Eagles Jermicus Banks (6’4, 280-SR/DL-Raleigh, NC) recovered. The first play from scrimmage saw the Eagles Adrian Warren (6’5, 215-SR/QB-Raleigh, NC) connect with Torey Ross (6’4, 190-SR/WR-Jackson, MS) on a 44 yard touchdown pass, which tied the score at seven all. That was the first seven of 24 unanswered second quarter points.
A 20 yard field goal by Chester Charles (5’9, 155-JR/PK-Baton Rouge, LA) as time expired in the first half were the Bears only other points as the Eagles led 31-10 at the half.
In the second half the Bears defense held the Eagles to two field goals, while the offense slowly put them in position for the win. Kimbrough threw fourth quarter touchdown passes to Anthony Frost (5’9, 180-JR/WR-Pahokee, FL), Daniel Jackson (6’3, 190-SO/WR-Lake Wales, FL) and Reggie Price (6’0, 190-JR/Winston Salem, NC) scored on a four yard run that cut the lead to six with 5:28 left. After a defensive stop and an Eagle punt, the Bears got the ball on their 16 yard line with 1:53 left in the game. On third and 10, Kimbrough tried to connect with T. Nunnally (5’11, 180-JR/FS-Danville, VA) on a fly pattern, but the Eagles JR Tanner (5’10, 190-FR/Dudley, NC) made the biggest (Eagle) play of the game, with a one hand interception. Nunnally had him beat by three steps, and the entire stadium on their feet. That play stopped the rally, but it did look like the biggest play of the game (Bears), which would have been a possible 38-37 Shaw win.
Shaw’s Jermonty Kimbrough and Central’s Adrian Warren were named the Classic MVP’s.
NEXT WEEK – The Bears will host the Blue Bears of Livingstone College, while the Eagles will host the Bulldogs of Bowie State in the battle of CIAA undefeated teams. Both teams are entering the contest with 4-0 and 1-0 CIAA marks. By the way, the Eagles are also hosting their CIAA Western Division rival St. Augustine’s the following week.
BEAR FOOT PRINTS – Junior receiver Anthony Frost had the biggest day of his career with five receptions for 90 yards and one touchdown. The big factor here is each of his receptions led to scores. It was his 45 yard reception at the end of the second quarter that set up a Bear field goal. It was his seven yard touchdown reception that cut Central’s lead to 34-16 with 12:55 left in the game. His 10 yard reception with just over seven minutes left in the game set up the four yard touchdown run by Regional Price, which cut the lead to 37-24. Frost’s 11 yard reception put the ball at Central’s 12 yard line, which set up Kimbrough’s touchdown pass to Daniel Jackson.
Jermonty Kimbrough has been a leader all season and Saturday he added another category to his offensive production. On an unexpected flea flicker, Kimbrough handed off to running back Dion McIver and instead of a run, McIver rolled out and launched a pass downfield to a wide open Kimbrough for a 34 yard completion that help set up the Bears 24th point. On the day, Kimbrough completed 17 of 44 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns; he was also the Bears leading rusher with 55 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown. With his 34 yards reception, he finished with 252 total offensive yards and 89 all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving and kick returns make up the all-purpose yards category).
Junior free safety T. Nunnally had another superb day with six solo tackles, 10 assisted for a team leading 16 tackles. He also had one tackle for a three yard loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. That forced fumble and fumble recovery put the Bears in scoring position that cut the lead to six (31-37).
What a transition, Terrence Ford started pre-season camp as a running back, but was switch to his present linebacker position at the start of season. For the second consecutive week, he has finished with double digit tackles. This weekend he had four solos, 11 assisted for a total of 15 and one tackle for a four year loss.
DEFENDING THE TITLE – With six conference games left, the Bears are still in control of their own destiny. Wins in their final six conference games will put them in position to win the East and return to the championship game. Unbeaten Bowie State will face off with N.C. Central next weekend and the Bears will travel to Bowie the following weekend. That game will definitely have a lot to do with the Eastern Division race. Bottom line, a win in the next six games will give the Bears the upper hand in head-to-head competition in the Eastern Division race. “DON’T COUNT THE BEARS OUT”
