JACKSONVILLE, FL - Last year the Tigers of Edward Waters put
up almost 400 yards of total offense against the Bears of Shaw in the Willie
E. Gary Classic. The Bears still managed to win the game. This year the
Tigers made a slew of mistakes that were either avoided or held to a minimum
during the team's 2-0 start. Wide receivers dropped passes and the offensive
line provided little protection for quarterback Dexter Davis as Shaw
defeated the Tigers 21-12 in front of a crowd of 11,402 at Alltel
Stadium.
Also, hampered by 110 yards in penalties, EWC (2-1) managed only 193 yards
of total offense and stumbled down the stretch. As a result, Shaw (3-0)
earned its second consecutive win in the annual football classic. The Bears
remained in control throughout. It didn't seem to matter that they had to
rely on backup quarterback Darion Mack after Jermonty Kimbrough suffered an
injury on the team's second play of the game and never returned. Following
the first of two interceptions thrown by Davis, Shaw running back Dion
McIver capped a nine-play, 39-yard drive with a 1-yard run that extended the
lead to 14-6 with 3:45 in the first half.
In contrast, EWC had only 73 yards of total offense in the
first half, while losing 59 yards to penalties. EWC cut Shaw's lead to 14-12
on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Davis to Leroy Woods with 11:38 remaining in
the game. But Davis' pass on the ensuing two-point conversion sailed out of
the end zone, and the Tigers never again came close to scoring. Davis,
facing consistent pressure throughout the night, completed only 19-of-38
passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions.
The offense gained only 13 yards rushing on 25 carries,
and the defense remained on the field for long stretches as a result of 11
penalties. Early in the second quarter, Shaw strung together an 11-play,
62-yard drive that was aided by three EWC penalties totaling 23 yards. On
second and goal, defensive back Travis Allen was called for pass
interference in the end zone, and the Bears took a 7-6 lead two plays later
on a 1-yard run by Terrance Ford with 9:28 remaining in the first half.
The Bears will take on St. Augustine's next Saturday at
1:00 p.m. at John Baker Stadium.
