Joseph Marvin: Assistant Sports Information Director
BREVARD, N.C. – The Brevard College Tornados Football team (3-6, 3-4 USAS) closed out its 2018 conference schedule with a 28-7 victory over in-state opponent Greensboro (1-9, 0-7 USAS).
The BC defense proved stingy throughout the contest, shutting down the Greensboro Pride offensively. Brevard held Greensboro to just 118 yards of total offense, including -1 net rushing yards.
BC picked off Greensboro quarterback Nate Coffey off three times, as defenders Quentin Jackson, Andreas Wyatt, and JeQwan George all held claim to the "Defensive Turnover Title Belt".
The Tornados sacked Pride quarterbacks a total of eight times for a net loss of 42 total yards. The defense also racked up 11 tackles-for-loss in the contest, netting 53 total yards lost.
In addition to his interception, George led the team with six tackles, including a sack, three tackles for loss, and a quarterback hurry.
Senior Axel Easter anchored the BC front line of defense. He tallied five total tackles, including 1.5 sacks, one tackle-for-loss, and two quarterback hurries. Easter extends his USA South-leading sack total to 6.5. Easter sits just three sacks shy of tying the BC record for career sacks of 13 set by Christian Lumbu (2007,09-11)
Quarterback Dalton Cole found the end zone three times to ignite the BC offense in the first half.
Workhorse running back Bobby Clerisier enjoyed his finest outing of 2018 running the football. Clerisier tallied a game-high 91 rushing yards on 15 carries for an average of 6.1 yards-per-carry. Clerisier also found paydirt on Brevard's final possession of the game.
Senior Bubba Craven's touchdown catch late in the second quarter gave him 15 for his career, which is just one away from tying the career mark set by Eric Watts (2008-11) of 16 touchdown receptions.
Greensboro's defense came out on fire early, forcing an interception on Brevard's second drive of the contest. The two sides would then trade possessions as Greensboro received the ball with 4:24 left in the first quarter.
After a negative play resulted in a fourth down, Greensboro would elect to punt, which resulted in Brevard's third blocked punt of 2018. George broke through the Pride's line, getting a hand on the punt sent away by Ronnie Hall. Jamerial Parks would recover the ball for the Tornados, setting them up with possession.
BC was unable to take advantage of its field position, however, as both teams would again trade punts before the quarter ended.
The Tornados regained possession to begin the second quarter, however their nine play, 68-yard drive would be stalled resulting in a turnover on downs.
Brevard's defense answered the call, however, as they forced a three-and-out from Greensboro. The Tornados would regain possession inside Greensboro territory.
BC strung together a four play. 44-yard drive capped off by a 27-yard touchdown pass from Cole to Martigus Henley. The reception was Henley's fourth touchdown of the season, tying Craven for the team lead.
After another Pride punt, the Tornados would score on their second-straight drive of the contest, as Cole shoveled a pass to freshman Blake Taylor for a four-yard score. This play concluded a six play, 86-yard drive by the Tornados.
On the ensuing Greensboro possession, the "Defensive Turnover Title Belt" made its first appearance of the afternoon. As Easter hurried Coffey, the pass sailed into the outstretched arm of sophomore defensive back Wyatt, who returned it 29 yards.
Brevard would capitalize on this opportune field position, as an eight play, 41-yard drive was sealed by a Cole-to-Craven connection. Brevard would take a 21-0 advantage into the half.
The second half was characterized by penalties for both sides. A total of 17 penalties were accepted in the contest, 15 of which came in the second half.
Both sides traded possession throughout the third quarter with neither side able to muster much offensively. Both sides threw an interception in the third period, and both punted twice.
Greensboro's defense would strike early in the fourth quarter. A Cole interception landed in the arms of Kasseem Bagley, who promptly took it 55 yards for a touchdown to cut Brevard's lead to 21-7.
However, Brevard's second-half game plan did not waiver. The Tornados continued to pound the ball on the ground with Clerisier serving as their workhorse.
George came through for the Tornados with a big fourth-down sack to all but seal the contest. Clerisier added a 27-yard scamper to seal the Senior Day victory for the Tornados by a final score of 28-7.
Brevard will make its last appearance of the 2018 season on Saturday, November 17. The Tornados will host Allen University at Brevard Memorial Stadium in a make-up game from earlier in the season. Brevard and Allen decided to postpone its originally scheduled game on September 15 due to the lingering effects of Hurricane Florence.
The Tornados will look to match their 2017 record of 4-6 with a victory on Saturday.
To follow along with all the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, please follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook.
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