DANVILLE, Va. – The Greensboro College Pride football team completed their 2014 season on Saturday afternoon. Greensboro took on the Cougars of Averett University in USA South Athletic Conference play, and the Pride came away with a 36-28 victory behind an outstanding day by senior running back Warren Scott.
The Cougars found the end zone with 8:44 reaming in the first quarter, but Mart Grinton block the point after attempt making the score 6-0. Greensboro College was able to cut the deficit in half when Amilicar Martinez connected on a 26 yard field goal making the score 6-3 in favor of the Cougars.
Averett was able to extend their lead to 13-3 just before the end of the first quarter of play.
Once Greensboro fell behind by the ten point margin, they then ran off 13 unanswered points to storm out to a 16-13 lead. Cortez Vernon capped off the first scoring drive that took just two minutes with a dash over the left side of the Pride line making the score 13-9. Following the touchdown possession, the Pride defense forced the Cougars to punt giving the Pride the ball on their own 15 yard line.
It only took Greensboro two plays to go 85 yards to jump into the lead at 16-13. Ryan Throndset got the drive started with a 17 yard rush moving the ball to the Pride 32. Warren Scott then ran all over the field en route to a 68 yard scamper for his first of three touchdowns on the day. The 68 yard rusch placed Scott second in the Greensboro College football record books for the longest touchdown rush from scrimmage.
On the ensuing kickoff, Trey Cronin forced a Brandon Petty fumble that was recovered by Trent Stanback putting the ball back into the Pride offenses’ hands. However, Greensboro College was not able to convert turning the ball back over to the Cougars on downs. Averett then retook the lead 20-16 following an eleven play drive heading into halftime.
After the intermission period, Greensboro College was able to get the offense rolling again. On their second possession of the third quarter, Scott found the end zone from 17 yards out putting the Pride back in front 22-20.
Warren Scott then found the end zone for the final time on the day when he laid out in the back left corner of the end zone to haul in a nine yard pass from Ryan Throndset. Martinez then added the point after to put Greensboro in the lead for the rest of the day at 29-20.
“Our offensive line did a great job for us all day today,” senior quarterback Ryan Throndset said. “When we were in the red zone, I felt like I was in a video game having so much time in the pocket.”
With the Pride up by the nine point margin, Averett began to feel the pressure with the clock winding down. The Cougars moved the ball to the Pride 33 yard line, but the Greensboro defense held strong on fourth down and seven to go. The Cougars tried a reverse to the near side of the field but freshman linebacker Chase Sams stayed at home stopping Averett three yards short to give Greensboro the ball.
The Pride would capitalize on the turnover; Ryan Throndset found his check down receiver Ray Bridges who broke five tackles taking the ball 71 yards for Greensboro’s final score of the game. The point after attempt put Greensboro up 36-20.
Averett pulled within 36-28 with 5:17 remaining in the game, but once again the Pride defense held strong for the victory.
“This was truly a team win today,” Pride Head Coach Bill Young said. “It was really great way to end this season, and the career for the 14 members of our senior class. Our group of seniors this year has done so much for this football team, coaching staff, and our college over the last four years.”
Warren Scott pounded the ball on the ground for the Pride trough out the entire game. Scott recorded 211 rushing yards on 25 carries while hauling in 57 receiving yards.
“This game was a must see game and it was a lot of fun to be a part of,” said Scott. “The offensive line group led the way for me today, and helped me produce to help our team come away with the victory. My fellow seniors and I have geld a lot over the last four seasons together and they are now and always will be my brothers.”
Ryan Throndset completed 63 percent (23-36-0) of his passes on the totaling 279 yards and two touchdowns. Ray Bridges recorded a team high 102 yards receiving on five catches with one touchdown.
The Greensboro College defense put pressure on the Cougars the entire game. Freshman Chase Sams had a team high 14 tackles, while Kendrick Mines and Ethan Smith had six each. William Heiligenthaler picked up his team leading fourth interception in the game to go along with three solo tackles. Sam Parker and Tyrone Barber was credited with a half sack each in the contest.
“Our defense stepped up big today,” Pride senior Sam Parker said. “We came out slow in the first half, but we stuck together and helped each other to come out on top.”
With the eight point victory, the Greensboro College football team finishes with a 3-7 overall mark while going 3-5 in the USA South Athletic Conference.