Saint Paul's 14, Elizabeth City State 7

October 27, 2007

Lawrenceville, VA - After three days of continuous rain, the sun peeked through the clouds just in time for the Tigers of Saint Paul's College's (4-5 Overall, 3-3 CIAA) game against the Elizabeth City State University Vikings (4-5 Overall, 4-2 CIAA). On a mud soaked Russell Field, very similar to last years field conditions and scenarios, the Tigers faced off against Vikings but this year the outcome would end differently. SPC upset the Vikings 14 to 7, earning their third victory in a row and fourth of the season.

Elizabeth City received the ball first but would soon have their drive end when Quarterback Dominic Strand was sacked and forced to fumble the ball on the Saint Paul's 44 yard line. Freshman Jarvis Stokes picked up the loose ball and ran it in 56 yards for the first SPC score of the day.

The score remained the 7 - 0 the entire first half and the majority of the third quarter, in favor of Saint Paul's. The Vikings would finally score late in the third quarter after a 2 yard rush by running back Joel McClenny topped a 6 play, 32 yard drive, tying the game at the 7 point mark.

The Tigers would waste little time striking back. On the ensuing kick-off returner Saadiq Morris would ignite the SPC with a 29 yard return to the Saint Paul's 37 yard line. The Tigers then put together a 10 play, 61 yard drive ending in a 20 yard Walter Virgil quarterback bootleg for a touchdown, increasing the Tigers lead to 14 - 7 with 11:09 left in the fourth quarter.

The Tigers would later seal their victory on fumble recovery by Michael Wagstaff on a muffed fielding of a punt by Vikings returner Billy Wiggins.

The Vikings seemed to be plagued by turnovers today that the Tigers happily took advantage of. Defensive backs Jerome Mann and Brian Dennis both had interceptions and defenders Greg Toler, Michael Wagstaff and Jarvis Stokes whose resulted in a 56 yard touchdown, all recovered fumbles. Clinton Gee (11 tackles) and Cordero Hooper (10 tackles) also played big for the Tiger defense.

On offense, the Tigers had a net total of 119 rushing yards. Between the two quarterbacks Jean Dessein and Walter Virgil a total of 6 passes on 8 attempts were completed.

Today's game was a mess, literally when referring to the conditionals, but overall was just another day of hard work that the Tigers clocked in. SPC improved its winning streak to 3 and works to end with a .500 win percentage after next weeks contest. The Tigers will travel to Virginia State University next Saturday, November 3rd the last game of the season, to take on the Trojans. Game time is slated for 1:30pm.