ROME, Ga.- The Shorter Football team fell to North Greenville Saturday night in Barron Stadium in a heartbreaking 35-33 defeat. 

The Hawks came out firing on all cylinders, thanks to big runs from Lanear McCrary Jr. to put Shorter up a field goal in the first. The Hawk defense was on full display, forcing back-to-back fumbles that resulted in a Jeb Walls 11-yard rushing touchdown and another field goal from Edgar Bermudez to put Shorter up 13-0 at the end of the first. 

The Hawks' offense cooled off in the second quarter as the visitors took advantage early, adding in a score to make it a 13-7 contest. The Trailblazers capitalized once again on a Hawks three-and-out towards the end of the quarter, taking the 14-13 lead on a 41-yard passing touchdown. Jeb Walls helped give the Hawks the lead back by capping off a successful drive with a 30-yard passing touchdown to Dennis Sims. The Hawks' secondary continued to struggle against the fiery offense from North Greenville, allowing one more score as they entered the half behind 21-20. 

The visitors controlled the majority of the third quarter, keeping the Hawks' offense at bay while adding another touchdown to make it 28-20 entering the fourth.

Early in the final quarter, the Trailblazers added another score, making it a 35-20 deficit for the Hawks. Shorter found themselves in great field position after a failed fourth-down conversion from the visitors. Lanear McCrary Jr. helped the Hawks convert, taking the direct snap up the middle to bring Shorter to within striking distance. Shorter's defense stepped up by forcing a three-and-out to give the offense some much-needed momentum. Following the stop, Jeb Walls completed a 60-yard bomb to Dennis Sims to make it first and goal at the one for the Hawks. Lanear McCrary Jr. once again took it straight up the middle, bringing Shorter to within two. The Hawks, unfortunately, fell just inches away from the end zone on the two-point conversion as Skylar Niblett was tackled just outside the end zone to even it up. Shorter's defense produced another major stop to give their offense one more chance. Shorter drove down the field late, but would fall short on a missed 61-yard field goal attempt in a 35-33 final. 

Jeb Walls performed well for the Hawks, going 13-of-20 from the air with 161 yards and a touchdown, also adding 37 yards on the ground and a score. Lanear McCrary Jr. was a force in the backfield, recording 189 rushing yards on 20 carries and two scores. Dennis Sims had a career day for the Hawks, hauling in three catches for 102 yards and a score. Defensively, Hugh Barbee III led the way with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery. Nakobi Spurrier and John Hughes helped the Hawks' presence, each forcing a fumble. 

UP NEXT

Shorter will close out their season as they face an opponent from the SIAC on the road next week. Information on the opponent and game time will be released in the following week. 

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