Stillman 34, Benedict 27

TUSCALOOSA---After a weeklong party the homecoming celebration came to a climax for the Stillman College alumni as the Tigers and the Benedict College Tigers fought to the very last seconds before a crowd of 10,000. Stillman (8-2) defeated Benedict College (2-8) 34-27.

Not only was it homecoming for Stillman it was also senior day and the final game of the season for Stillman. On senior day the Tiger seniors made big plays on offense and defense. Wide receiver Anthony scored the first touchdown of the game on a seven-yard pass from Tyvun Green. Running back Riccardo Thomas, Stillman's all time leading rusher, caught a 15 yd touchdown pass from Green and tight end Michael Trigg hauled in a 21 yd TD pass from Green.

Defensively, Brenden Givan (five tackles, three TFL and two sacks), Jermaine Blakely (four tackles, three TFL, and two sacks), Shawn DeFoor (two tackles, two pass deflections and a game saving interception) and Darryl Johnson (two tackles and one sack) all played very well for Stillman.

After forcing a Benedict punt on the game opening drive Stillman struck first as Green connected with Hall for a seven-yard touchdown pass, to cap a four play, 47-yard drive at the 9:31 mark in the first quarter. The Eric Beech extra-point failed giving Stillman a 6-0 lead.

At the 1:02 mark in the first quarter Keith Green completed a seven-play, 65-yard drive with a twenty-eight yard scoring run. The William Brown extra point kick gave Benedict a 7-6 lead. On the ensuing possession the Tigers quickly regained the lead as Zack Berklin capped a nine play, 73-yard drive with a two-yard scoring run.

Benedict's Tawain Byrd tied the game at 13-13 as he found Green for a 30 -yard touchdown strike. James Patrick blocked Brown's extra point attempt. At the 3:57 mark in the second quarter Thomas scored on a 15-yard pass reception form Green. Kevin Flemming converted the extra point kick attempt, giving Stillman a 20-13 lead. Stillman was not able to put a determined Benedict team away. With 27 seconds remaining in the first half Byrd scored on a five yard run and Brown's kick tied the game at 20-20.

In the second half both defenses took over. Both Stillman and Benedict offenses scored a total of 21 points. With 1:35 remaining in the third quarter Green connected with Trigg for a 21-yard touchdown pass. Flemming's kick put Stillman ahead 27-20.

At the 4:21 mark in the fourth quarter Curt Rampersant caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Byrd and Brown's kick tied the game at 27-27.

On Stillman's following possession Shawn Roberts intercepted a Green pass at the Benedict 35-yard line. Stillman's DeFoor quickly repaid the favor as he intercepted a Byrd pass and returned it 15 yards to the Stillman 45 yard line. Five plays later Green completed a six-yard touchdown pass to Timothy Cole for the eventual game winning score. Flemming converted the extra point.

On the ensuing possession Benedict made on last attempt as James fuller hauled in a Byrd pass and advanced it 66-yards to the Stillman six yard line with five seconds remaining in the game. But the game ended on an incomplete Byrd pass in the end zone.

Stillman finishes its season with an 8-2 record. Benedict will return to action next weekend as the Tigers face Edward Waters College.

Front Page

Football Index