EMORY, VA. - The Brevard College Football team was put to the test Saturday afternoon in Emory, Va. as 90 degree temperatures and a sweltering artificial turf field gave spectators and game personal all they could handle as the Tornados fell by a final of 28-14 to the Emory & Henry Wasps.
Brevard would open the first half of play receiving the opening kickoff but after a seven play, 40 yard opening drive that ended in a punt the Tornados defense would be called into action. The Wasps would use their first possession to drive 73 yards in nine plays before Jesse Santiago would be stripped of the ball by Tornados safety Ashud Moore (Ellenwood, Ga.).
The Tornados would use the turnover to drive 59 yard on six plays, as 40 yards came on an option pitch to freshman Xavier Brown (Conyers, Ga.) who broke outside the defense before being chased down from behind and putting the football on the field by the Wasps secondary. Emory & Henry would capitalize on the Brevard turnover putting together a four play 75 yard scoring drive capped off by a Kendrick Kube 58 yard scoring run.
The Wasps would add one more first half score, driving 70 yards in eight plays off a Brevard College turnover on downs to take a slight 14-0 edge over BC into the half.
Brevard would get on the board early into the second half as Amir Williams (Athens, Ga.) made a great play on a Kevin Saxton thrown ball, as the senior broke off his coverage to recover to an under thrown pass that allowed the cornerback to return the play for 28 yards. The Tornados would strike just one play later as redshirt-sophomore fullback Karris Johnson (San Ramon, Calif.) burst through a wide open hole by the Brevard offensive line, broke two arm tackles by the Wasps secondary and streaked into the end zone for a 44 yard scamper.
Emory & Henry would increase their lead back to 14 points with one minute remaining in the third quarter as Saxton hooked up with Jesse Santiago on a 38 yard fly pattern for their second touchdown connection of the afternoon.
The Tornados would not go quietly, however, as sophomore quarterback Bubba Craven (Pleasant Garden, N.C) who entered the game due to an injury to starting quarterback Tyler Gregory (Williamson, Ga.) sparked new life into a Tornados offense that responded with a five play, 54 yard scoring drive as Craven lobbed a passed over the middle to freshman Bobby Clerisier (Hialeah, Fla.) that allowed the slot back to break an E&M tackle and race in for a 42 yard touchdown reception.
Despite giving up two second half touchdowns to the Wasps, the Brevard defense held strong for the second half causing three punts and a turnover on downs to give their offense ample opportunities to put up points. Brevard would put together one final drive down 21-14 in the four quarter as the play of the drive came on a Craven pass to Johnson that the fullback jumped up to snag out of the air for an 18 yard grab. However, the Tornados would put the ball on the ground for the final time as the Wasps would exploit the BC miscue as Sam Wagner pulled off a 54 yard touchdown run to put E&M up 28-14.
Offensively, the Tornados were paced by Johnson who wrapped up the contest with 129 yards on the ground and 18 receiving finishing with one touchdown. Additionally, Jarkevius Hopkins (Mt. Holly, N.C.) accounted for 100 yards rushing, as the sophomore ended with 121 yards on the ground. Craven would end the afternoon with 83 yards through the air and one touchdown while Clerisier led the Tornados with 42 receiving yards and a score.
On the defensive side of the ball, junior Jinsly Jhon led the Tornados in tackles for the second straight contest hauling down the ball carrier for eight solo stops and three assisted tackles. Moore would finished with an additional eight total tackles while also recording both a forced fumble and a pass breakup. In addition to Jhon and Moore's performance, freshman linebacker Richard Ramos Jr. (Lawrenceville, Ga.) turned in a superb effort as the backer racked up seven tackles, one and half tackles for loss and a half of sack in the effort.
The Tornados will look to pick up their first win of the year next Saturday, September 17 as they play host to the Wingate Bulldogs at 1 p.m. from Brevard Memorial Stadium to open South Atlantic Conference action.
