WISE, Va. - The University of Virginia at Wise Football Team (2-1) picked up their first-ever victory over Emory & Henry College (2-1) Saturday evening, defeating the Wasps 33-30. The contest, which was touted as Southwest Virginia Bowl IV, was the last foreseeable meeting between the two schools.
The Highland Cavaliers blazed down the field on their opening drive, covering 91 yards in four plays to score just 1:30 into the contest. The drive was highlighted by Stewart Robertson's 43-yard run for the touchdown.
Emory & Henry responded on their first drive with a touchdown of its own. Junior wide receiver Preston Jennings (Banner Elk, N.C.) capped off the eight-play 71-yard drive with a 21-yard reception for the score from sophomore quarterback Kyle Boden (Knoxville, Tenn.)
After the Wasps' defense forced a three-and-out, the offense took to the field again with their eyes on the end zone. Junior running back William Pearl (Atlanta, Ga.) punched it in from four yards out and junior placekicker Matt Turchin (Salisbury, N.C.) made his second PAT of the contest as E&H took a 14-7 lead.
Emory & Henry would add two more touchdowns to take a 28-17 lead into the locker room. Senior wide receiver Adrian Jordan (Covington, Va.) scored on a 16-yard pass from Boden and Pearl had a seven-yard rush for his second score of the contest.
The second half of the contest belonged to the Highland Cavaliers. UVA-Wise's Paul Melshen recorded a 37-yard field goal late in the third quarter to draw the score to 28-20.
The Wasps responded with an 11-play 58-yard drive that would have put the game solidly in their hands, but a fumble at the one-yard line gave the ball back to the Highland Cavaliers. E&H caught Wise in their own end zone for a safety on the last play of the third quarter to push the score to 30-20.
After E&H was forced to punt on their resulting possession, UVA-Wise went 88 yards to close the score to 30-27. Tye Marshall found Michael Steele with a 19-yard pass for the score.
The Highland Cavaliers seemed to be going in for the score to take the lead with just over a minute remaining but an interception on the Wasps' 11 yard line by sophomore defensive back Jason Hill (Hickory, N.C.) put E&H in the driver's seat.
UVA-Wise forced Emory & Henry into a three-and-out situation on the ensuing possession and what transpired became a part of instant legend. Wise's Marcus Bratton received the punt at his own 30 and returned the ball to the Emory & Henry 40 where he was met by senior linebacker Shane Wicks (Honaker, Va.). Bratton lateralled the ball to teammate Josh Wright, who scampered 40 yards for the score and 33-30 victory as time expired.
For Emory & Henry, Boden finished the day with 209 yards through the air and two touchdowns on 18-for-35 passing with one interception. Jordan and Jennings led the Wasps receiving efforts with 124 and 55 yards, respectively and a touchdown apiece. Pearl finished the day with 50 yards on the ground and two scores while sophomore running back Marquius Young (Oakwood, Ga.) added 40 yards of his own.
E&H senior punter T.J. Frazier (Roanoke, Va.) averaged 41.7 yards per punt on the contest with the longest of his six kicks going 52 yards.
For UVA-Wise, Robertson led the way with 163 rushing yards and two touchdowns while Marshall was 21-for-37 passing with 156 yards and a touchdown, despite three interceptions. Steele caught nine balls for 85 yards and one score while Andre Dickerson rushed for 76 yards for the Highland Cavaliers.
Defensively, junior linebacker Devan Sproles (Norton, Va.) had a game-high 15 tackles while Hill made 14 stops and had two interceptions. Seniors Ed Smith (Chuch Hill, Tenn.) and Wicks had 12 and 11 tackles, respectively on the day. Junior defensive back Tyler Houk (Galax, Va.) recorded an interception and a forced fumble to go along with four tackles.
UVA-Wise had six players register five tackles led by Amondre Johnson with one tackle for loss for 10 yards while Russell Hill picked off a pass and returned it 20 yards.
Emory & Henry will return to the gridiron next Saturday when they take on the Monarchs of Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.
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