Tank Tunstalle ready for a play against State, Tunstalle led the Mountain Lions with 16 tackles. Photo by: Ryan Bradley
Athens, WV- On a gorgeous Homecoming evening, Concord Mountain Lion football hosted the West Virginia State Yellow Jackets. Concord's special night was spoiled as they lost to the Yellow Jackets 25-22.
The defenses dominated this game in the beginning. The Yellow Jackets picked off a Tommy Frazier in the 10th minute of the game, but could not capitalize on the turnover.
Near the end of the first quarter the Mountains Lions began to drive. They put together a 6 play-81 yard drive with 3:30 left on the clock. The drive was capped by a Frazier pass to Nathan Tanner for 5 yards. The Mountain Lions led at the end of the first quarter 7-0.
On the ensuing drive the Yellow Jackets put a drive together of their own on an 8 play-53 yard drive ending with an 11 yard pass from O'Brien to running back Brian Mitchell. The PAT would be blocked by Mountain Lion Defensive Tackle Thomas Hearons. Concord kept the lead at 7-6.
Concord would drive the length of the field but the drive would stall on the WV State 26 yard line, putting the ball back in the hands the Yellow Jackets. WV State would drive again and O'Brien would find Larry Hinton for the 13 yard score. State went for the two-point conversion but failed to get it. West Virginia State led 12-7 at the half.
West Virginia State would get the ball to start the second half, yet would have to put it away early after the drive stalled. After a few back and forth series, Concord's Joey Thomas would find his first of two interceptions putting the ball deep in Yellow Jacket territory. Concord would take advantage of the short field as Tommy Frazier found Chris O'Neal on a high floating pass in the end zone. Concord led 14-12 with 5:45 left in the 3rd quarter. That score would remain the same heading into the fourth quarter.
State had the ball with about 10 minutes to go as running back Brian Mitchell looked to be stopped in the back field. However, Mitchell showed great athleticism spinning through a tackle on his way to a 61 yard run. The Yellow Jackets were now on top 19-14.
On Concord's next drive Frazier threw his second interception of the game setting up State with great field position. The Yellow Jackets would take advantage on a Brian Mitchell two yard rush. After another blocked PAT by Rusty Coeburn, the Yellow Jackets led 25-14 with only 7:20 to go.
Concord began to dig in as they moved the ball down the field. Frazier would find Dustin Greenwood for a 27 yard touchdown. Then, for the two point conversion Frazier found Greenwood making an amazing leaping catch over a State defender. Concord was down 25-22 with only 2:52 left in the game.
Concord set up for the onside kick as the ball bounced around. A Yellow Jacket came up with the ball at the bottom of the pile. However, Concord would get another opportunity with 37 seconds left in the game. The punt by State was up but the kick was muffed ending Concord's hopes for a last minute comeback.
Thomas Frazier ended the game 19-37 for 181 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Nathan Tanner led the receiving core with 9 catches for 62 yards and a touchdown. Dustin Greenwood had 3 catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. Chris O'Neal had 2 catches for 21 yards and a touchdown. Orlando Bryant nearly had 100 yards with 93 yards on the day and only 8 rushes.
Zach Boyd led the special teams with 7 punts, a net punting average of 44.7 yards and a long of 51 yards.Tank Tunstalle led the Mountain Lions on defense on another stand out performance with 16 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a pass break-up. Big Thomas Hearons ended the game with 11 tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble, a recovered fumble, and a blocked kick. Joey Thomas had 5 tackles and 2 interceptions for 41 yards.
Concord (0-6, WVIAC 0-4) welcome in Shepherd University next Saturday, October 13th. The game will be played on the June O. Shott field. Kick-off is set for 1:00pm.
