Box Score ROME, Ga.- The Shorter football team earned their first victory of the season in a dominating 57-20 victory against the Virginia-Lynchburg Dragons. 

After a rocky start in which the Hawks turned the ball over twice, Charles Alia scored his first rushing touchdown of the season that also proved to be the longest of his career as he bounced out the left for an 89 yard run to the house to take the 7-0 lead. Not long after, Jeb Walls connected with Cardrece Mobley on a 63-yard receiving touchdown to add another score for the Hawks. The Hawk defense remained strong, preventing the Dragons from scoring as they entered the second quarter ahead 14-0. 

Early in the second quarter, Jeb Walls threw his second touchdown pass of the day to Skyler Niblett for an easy 3-yard score to make it a three possession game. The Dragons found the endzone eventually, but would be met by a 49-yard rushing touchdown by Lanear McCrary Jr. to continue the offensive outburst from the Hawks. Shorter continued to dominate, as Ladarius Smith recorded his first receving touchdown of the season to put Shorter up 34-6. Shortly after Smith's touchdown catch, Trent McCord scored the Hawks lone defensive touchdown of the day with a 31-yard interception return to increase the Hawk lead. Right before the half, Lanear McCrary Jr. added on to the Hawks' massive lead with a 21-yard run score to make it 48-6 at halftime. 

Shorter maintained control in the second half, taking up as much time as possible. The Dragons would find the endzone twice in the half, as Shorter added in a field goal and one more touchdown that would be Guage Nesmith's first career score as a Hawk. The Hawks took down the Dragons 57-20, which is the second most points scored in school history. 

Shorter totaled 528 yards of total offense, with 208 coming from the air and 320 coming from the ground game. Jeb Wells played well for Shorter, going 11-17 with 207 yards and four total touchdowns, with one coming on the ground. Charles Alia led Shorter rushing with nine carries for 120 yards and a touchdown. Lanear McCrary Jr. is starting to find his stride as he recorded six carries for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Cardrece Mobley led the Hawks in receiving, catching two passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, the Hawks shut down the Dragons, forcing three interceptions and five sacks. Andrew Waldrep led Shorter with seven tackles, with one being for a loss, and a sack. Mikey Matos Jr. continues to dominate, as the Conference of the Carolina's leader in tackles for loss recorded three total alongside his four tackles. Trent McCord, Solomon Lyle, and Brayden King each recorded an interception to round out the Hawks' stellar day. 

QUOTES

Head coach Zach Morrison on today's win, "I'm so proud of our guys and the way they competed today. From the first snap, we set the tone and executed in all three phases of the game. But what makes me most proud is that our players continue to buy into playing for something bigger than themselves. At Shorter, it's faith, family, and football; and when we play with that foundation, you see the results both on and off the field. This was a complete team win, and we're excited to keep building on it." 

UP NEXT

The Hawks will make their Conference of Carolina's debut as they host Chowan next Saturday, September 27 at 12:00 PM. 

FOLLOW THE HAWKS
For complete coverage of Shorter Football, follow the Hawks on social media @suhawkvision (Instagram) or visit the official home of Shorter athletics at goshorterhawks.com