CU's Aaron Flythe is tackled by Fairmont State's Luke Stafford and Doug Brazill after intercepting a J.J. Mayer pass at the Concord 1-yard line in the 3rd quarter of the Mountain Lions' 15-9 win October 31. [Tammy Shriver/Times West Virginian]
This season, Concord has developed an explosive offense averaging 34 points and 468 yards a game.
Fairmont State has a deep corps of running backs and uncertainty at quarterback.
The Fighting Falcons hoped to turn Saturday's game against into a run-first, ball-control, defensive-minded contest.
Which is what happened.
Which was just fine by Concord.
Concord's offense imposed its running game in the first half, and the CU defense recorded four red-zone stops in the second half as the Mountain Lions defeated Fairmont State 15-9 on Halloween afternoon at Duvall-Rosier Field.
The victory improves Concord's record to 6-4, 3-3 in the WVIAC, and ensures a winning season for first-year head coach Mike Kellar. It's the first six-win season for Concord since 1998.
The Mountain Lions took the first lead of the game on their second possession, taking over on their own 14. On the first play, a pass to Thomas Mayo resulted in a fumble out of bounds and a ten-yard loss. After that, the Mountain Lions called 15 consecutive running plays and marched nearly the length of the field.
Finally, on 4th down and goal, Brian Kennedy plunged in on a two-yard touchdown run with 4:25 left in the first quarter.
The drive covered 86 yards on 16 plays and lasted 6:50. Kennedy rushed seven times for 52 yards on the drive, with Dennis Cole added 48 yards on six carries.
FSU's Jack Charles blocked the extra-point kick and Concord led 6-0.
The Mountain Lions extended the lead to 9-0 on Brandon Strupps's 41-yard field goal with 1:59 left in the second quarter.
The Concord defense kept the Falcons solidly in check in the first half. CU allowed only 56 yards, forced five punts, and limited FSU to 0-6 on 3rd-down conversions.
The defense would go from solid to spectacular in the second half with its quartet of points-denying red zone stands.
Fairmont State opened the third quarter by marching to the Concord 8 after only six plays. But CU's Aaron Flythe ended the drive by intercepting J.J. Mayer's pass at the 1, and returning it to the 8. Stop #1.
After Concord went three-and-out, Fairmont State marched again. On 2nd and 12 at the Concord 18, Mayer completed a pass to fullback Cody Reed. Reed got to the 1, where
R.J. Anderson delivered a hit that knocked the ball loose. Cameron Tarver recovered the fumble with 7:04 left in the 3rd quarter. Stop #2.
FSU took over after another Concord three-and-out and moved the ball to the Concord 5. The Mountain Lions tackled HB Doug Brazill for a six-yard loss, then, in the next play, Tony Keiling intercepted a tipped Mayer pass at the 14 with 3:43 left in the quarter. Stop #3.
With the score still 9-0 in the 4th quarter, Concord's defense came up big again. Fairmont State drove to the CU 9 and set up for a 26-yard Alex Ashley field goal. But Daniel Stone blocked the kick. Stop #4.
The Mountain Lions offense then produced a spectacular effort of its own. Two plays after the blocked kick, Stephen Hearons connected with Mayo for a 65-yard pass to the FSU 9. Five plays (two of them penalties) later, Hearons fired a touchdown pass to Nathan Tanner on fourth down that put Concord ahead 15-0 with 2:07 remaining in the game.
But, this being Halloween, the day quickly turned spooky for the Mountain Lions.
Fairmont State blocked Strupp's extra-point kick. The Falcons' Brandon Tucker scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a two-point conversion that broke up the shutout.
FSU added to the anxiety by taking the ensuing kickoff and driving 54 yards in only 1:13 and scoring a touchdown on Mayer's 14-yard pass to Jeff Smothers. Ashley's extra point kick made the score 15-9 with :47 left.
But, perhaps bedeviled by Halloween hobgoblins, Ashley's onside kick attempt failed to cover the mandatory ten yards, stopping dead near the sideline in front of the Concord bench.
The Mountain Lions ran out the clock.
[Box score, courtesy of
fightingfalcons.com:
www.fightingfalcons.com/content/Statistics/Football/2009/fs103109.htm]
[Fairmont State photo gallery, courtesy of
fightingfalcons.com:
www.fightingfalcons.com/gallery/103109_fb/album/index.html]
Concord concludes its 2009 season with a visit to new WVIAC champion West Liberty State next Saturday, November 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm EST at Russek Field in West Liberty, WV.
The game will be broadcast on Classic Rock 102 The River (WMTD 102.3 FM) and webcast at theriver102.com, beginning with the “Mountain Lion Preview Show” at 12:30 pm.
