By Jim O'Hara
 
CARROLLTON, Ga. – The Shorter Hawks came into the game boasting the best rushing offense and the top runner in the Gulf South Conference.

But on a sunny afternoon at University Stadium, they met their match in the form of the GSC's top defense against the run when the No. 7-ranked West Georgia Wolves handed the Hawks a 35-9 conference defeat in the final game of the regular season.

The setback, Shorter's sixth in a row, gives the Hawks a 2-8 overall record and a 1-6 slate in the GSC, while the Wolves, who now turn their attention to the NCAA Division II playoffs, finish the regular season with at 10-1 and 6-1 and at least a share of the conference championship.

The Hawks, who came to Carrollton averaging more than 290 yards on the ground, were held to 189 yards via the run – Shorter was held to just 34 yards in the first half – by a West Georgia defense that had yielded just 98 yards a game to foes.

Still, Shorter junior fullback B.J. McCoy, who had just 19 yards in the opening half, finished the game going over the 100-yard mark for the ninth time this season and his eighth straight, grinding out 106 yards on 24 carries. McCoy ends the regular season with 1,489 yards, the second most in a single season in Shorter history and the eighth most in GSC history.

Sophomore quarterback Aaron Bryant, who returned to action for the first time since he was injured against West Alabama in October, added 65 yards on 15 totes.

Led by senior quarterback Dallas Dickey, who completed 16 of 23 passes for 133 yards and a pair of touchdowns, West Georgia rolled up 341 yards in total offense.

Shorter found itself in position to take the early lead when, on West Georgia's second snap of the game's first series, Santavious Bryant scooped up a Wolves' fumble and returned the ball to the UWG 40. The Hawks eventually moved the ball to the Wolves' 26, but saw a 43-yard field goal attempt by Kenny Langford get tipped at the line of scrimmage and cause the boot to miss its mark.

The Wolves opened the scoring on their third possession of the game, putting together what wound up being the longest drive of the afternoon when they marched 92 yards – a fake punt by West Georgia's that went for 19 yards kept the series alive – and scored when Qa Walker hauled in a 27-yard touchdown pass Dickey with 1:44 left in the opening quarter. Hunter Check added the first of four extra points.

West Georgia then took advantage of a pair of interceptions to quickly expand its lead.

On Shorter's first play after UWG's first touchdown, Zed Brown stepped in front of a Hawks' pass, giving his team the ball at the SU 17 and from there the home team needed just four plays to cover the distance with Derick Steward making it 14-0 when he scored on a 1-yard run on the first play of the second period.

Six minutes later, the Wolves set up shop in Shorter territory again thanks to a pick by UWG's Lorenzo Ford that gave his team the ball at the Hawks' 48. This time West Georgia used six play to break into the end zone again, with Walker and Dickey teaming up again for a 19-yard scoring pass.

West Georgia went on to grab what became a 28-0 halftime lead when reserve quarterback Wil Garrett scored on a 2-yard run to cap a 64-yard drive.

After a scoreless third quarter, Shorter finally got on the scoreboard.

After the Hawks had to turn the ball over on downs inside the West Georgia 1 that halted what was their best drive of the night (it covered 71 yards), the Wolves first snap was dropped Garrett in his own end zone and the quarterback was tackled by Clayton Swint and Bryant to give Shorter the safety with 11:20 to go in the game.

The Wolves added its final touchdown 6:47 to play with their third scoring pass of the game, this time a 37-yard strike from Garrett to P.J. Harris.

Shorter was able to reach paydirt in the closing seconds of the game when they put together a 66-yard drive, highlighted by a 38-yard run by McCoy, with Devante James scored from a yard out. Kenny added the extra point.

Bryant and senior All-American safety Jordan Shaw led the Hawks' defense with seven tackles each, while Jevaris Jones, Greg Carswell and Trevaris Horton all had a sack each, with Horton closing out his career leading Shorter with five sacks this year and 12 career sacks, the fourth most in team history.