Apprentice School Knocks Off Greensboro 9-7
NEWPORT NEWS, VA. -- Sophomore Nick Foor hit a 37-yard field goal with 10:59 left in the game as the Apprentice School defeated Greensboro College 9-7 on USO Day at Apprentice Field on Saturday.
The Apprentice School defense set up the lone touchdown on the game for the Builders. Sophomore Jonathan Jones sacked quarterback Seth Adams forcing a fumble that sophomore Robert Balarabe recovered on the Pride one yardline. Freshman Izhia Roundtree then scooted in for an early score. The extra-point attempt hit the upright and the Builders held a 6-0 lead with 13:49 left.
Greensboro (1-2) gave themselves a shot at a touchdown late in the first quarter as Cody McCray stepped in front of a junior Bryan Shahlamian pass and returned it 27 yards to the Builder 10 yardline. Apprentice School defense held firm and forced a 28 yard field goal attempt from Adams which was deflected by junior Mana Ohia with 1:41 left in the first quarter.
The Pride had another field goal attempt on its first possession of the second quarter but Adams' 27-yard attempt sailed wide left. After forcing a Builder punt, the return game of Greensboro set them up for its lone touchdown as Antwan Thorpe returned the punt 53 yards to the Builder 11. Four plays later, Robert Byrd pushed his way in from the three for a Greensboro touchdown and a 7-6 advantage with 6:49 left.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Builders put together a 15-play drive that spanned the late third and early fourth quarter. Foor connected on a 37-yard field goal that cleared the left up-right for a 9-7 advantage.
Both teams traded possessions before Greensboro had one last attempt for a lead. Adams was sacked again by Jones who forced a fumble recovered by senior Andrew Balarabe at the Builder 44. The Builders took over with 3:22 left and garnered two first downs to ice the win.
"I couldn't be prouder of the whole team today, they played with heart and the way we want to play," said Apprentice School coach Michael Vite. "Defense was stellar and the offense managed the game well along with gaining key first downs down the stretch."
For the fifth time in the head coaching career of Vite, the Builder defense held a team to under 35 yards rushing as the Pride ran for a negative five yards. Greensboro outgained the Builders 149-134 in total offense.
Apprentice School (1-2) now will hit the field on September 25 to face Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham (2-0) at 1 pm on Homecoming.
