Box Score ROME, Ga.- The Hawks fell to UNC Pembroke in a tight battle Saturday afternoon, falling in a 31-24 defeat at Barron Stadium.
The loss drops the Hawks to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
The Braves set the tone early with an opening 88-yard kickoff return touchdown to take the early advantage. The Hawks responded well with a strong drive, but could not convert on a 32-yard field goal attempt. Shorter's defense continued its strong play as of late, preventing the visitors from extending the lead by keeping them out of the endzone to enter the second behind a touchdown.
Shorter found some spark to begin the second quarter, capitalizing on a mishandled snap from the Braves, as Michael Matos recovered the fumble to put the Hawks in great field position. The Hawks would get on the board as quarterback
Jeb Walls connected with
Silas Hinson on a 20-yard score to even it up. The Braves responded well, driving down the field, converting on a 46-yard field goal to take the 10-7 lead with 10:17 to go in the quarter. The Hawks were able to put together another strong drive after a stop, but failed to convert once again due to a second missed field goal. Shorter's defense continued to excel late in the period, forcing a fourth-down stop to give the Hawks the ball with 1:09 remaining. Shorter would once again get an opportunity late, but would miss their third straight field goal to enter the half behind a field goal.
Shorter's offense came out the gates swinging to start the third, as Walls connected with
Kyree Jenkins on the second play of scrimmage for a 67-yard score to take the 14-10 lead. Immediately following the score, the Hawks capitalized on a tipped pass as
Conrad Hussey intercepted the pass to put Shorter in prime position. Walls would once again connect with Jenkins on a screen pass to extend their lead and make it 21-10. The Braves would not go away quietly, returning another kickoff for 91 yards to crawl back into the contest. The Braves would regain the lead as a tipped pass would be intercepted and returned to take the 24-21 lead. The Hawks battled their way down the field as the third quarter ended, finally connecting on a field goal on a long drive to begin the fourth quarter to tie it.
Both defenses played strong to begin the final period, as each side produced stops to keep the score nodded up. UNCP would break the tie, scoring their first offensive touchdown on a 30-yard run to take a 31-24 lead with less than five minutes remaining. After Walls went down with an injury, backup quarterback
Devin Edmonds stepped up leading a drive late but the Hawks unfortunately failed to convert on a fourth and short. The Braves would put it away late, forcing the Hawks to use the remainder of the timeouts, coming up short in a 31-24 defeat.
Jeb Walls led the aerial attack, going 17-31 with 283 yards and three touchdowns as
Kyree Jenkins led te Hawks in the receiving department, hauling in three catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
Silas Hinson had another productive day, hauling in four catches for 58 yards and a touchdown.
David Hill surpassed his career high in rushing yards, carrying the ball 18 times for 97 yards. Shorter outgained the Braves 475-234 in total yards, marking a season-high for yards in a contest this season.
DJ Walker led the Hawks with nine tackles, while
Conrad Hussey finished with seven tackles and an interception.
UP NEXT
The Hawks will be on bye this next week before returning to action on the 26th as they take on Erskine for their conference road opener.
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