GC Pride Football Holds Off LaGrange For 37-35 Victory

GREENSBORO, NC — The Greensboro College Pride football team made their first home appearance of the 2014 season on Saturday afternoon. The Pride also opened USA South Athletic Conference play as they welcomed the Panthers of LaGrange College to Jamieson Stadium. Behind a five touchdown performance from senior quarterback Ryan Throndset, Greensboro College defeated the Panthers by a 37-35 score.

LaGrange scored the first two touchdowns on the game to take a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter of play. However, the Pride came roaring back to tie the game at 14-14 at the end of one quarter of play.

Following the second touchdown for the Panthers, the Pride offense took over the ball on their own 17 yard line. Warren Scott got the drive started with an eight yard rush, before a long 32 yard sweep by Raymond Bridges sparked the Pride into LaGrange territory. After the 32 yard rush, Throndset and Bridges continued to hook up resulting in a Pride 20 yard touchdown strike.

After the Pride went three and out on their following possession, the defense stepped up behind strong pressure from their front four.

The Pride got the ball back with 1:33 left in the first quarter of play, and it only took four plays to find the end zone to tie the game at 14-14. Senior wide receiver Justin Dukes had the highlight 41 yard strike from Throndset early in the drive, but it was freshman Gregory Clifton who hauled in the seven yard strike to knot the game up at 14-14 following the Martinez point after attempt.

The score would remain tied at 14-14 until ten minutes left to play in the first half. The Pride got the ball on the LaGrange 44 yard line following a Panthers punt, and Greensboro did not waste anytime finding the end zone. It only took the Pride one play, for Throndset to hit Raymond Bridges in stride for a 44 yard score, giving the Pride the 21-14 lead after the point after.

Once Greensboro took the lead at 21-14, the Panthers answered back to tie the game at 21-21 just two minutes later.

The Pride was not able to get anything going on their next possession, and was forced to punt the ball back. The Panthers then continued to move the ball down the field before the Pride’s Herbert Bridges picked off Graham Craig in the end zone ending the threat.

Greensboro College was able to take full advantage of the Bridges interception, taking the ball the full eighty yards in seven plays while only 1:03 ticked off the game clock to take a 28-21 lead into the break. The touchdown reception for Raymond Bridges was his third of the day.

The Pride was able to add onto their lead in the second drive of the second half, when freshman kicker Amilicar Martinez connected on his first colligate field goal from 35 yard extending the Pride lead to 31-21.

Greensboro was able to extend their lead out to 37-28 when Adrian Slade hauled in a 14 yard strike from Throndset. The Panthers added one final score in the game to pull within 37-35, but the Pride defense was able to hold strong for the Pride’s first victory of the season.

Freshman Chase Sams led the way for the Pride on defense recording 14 total tackles and one forced fumble. Herbert Bridges also had 11 tackles in the game while Will Thomas, James McClease, and Sams each recorded at quarter back sack.

Throndset finished the day with 406 yards through the air on 26 completions and five touchdowns. Raymond Bridges led the way in the receiving category with nine receptions for 155 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Justin Dukes also broke the centry mark reciving with 174 yards on five receptions.

With the win, Greensboro College improves their overall record to 1-2 on the season while opening conference play at 1-0. The Pride football team will return to action in two weeks when they continue conference play as they make their first ever trip to Huntingdon, AL when they take on the Hawks of Huntingdon College. The kick off is set for 2:00 PM EST.