Football Loses at Brevard

BREVARD, N.C. – The Lions' football team lost to Brevard College, 35-7 on the road Saturday afternoon at Brevard Memorial Stadium. The Lions fell to 1-5 on the season and 0-3 in the SAC. The Tornados improved to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the conference.

Dimitri Holmes tied the Mars Hill career touchdown receiving record in the loss. He caught his 24^th career touchdown today. He now shares the record with Ronnie Capps (1972-75) and Rod Dewalt (2001-04). Holmes caught four passes for 58 yards. Robert Green II, recorded a career high 22 tackles in the loss. Sammy Siasia followed with 14 stops while Troy Harris added 10 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, a sack and a forced fumble. Shaikel Davis rushed for 76 yards on 17 carries averaging 4.5 yards per rush.

Turnovers and field position played a major role in the outcome of the game. The Lions lost two fumbles and threw two interceptions. Brevard started their average drive on their own 44 yard line while the Lions started their average drive on their own 27 yard line.

The Tornados' took the opening kickoff and drove 74 yards on 14 plays to take a 7-0 lead capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by Tanner Wright. Ben Noboa added the PAT kick. That was all the scoring the first half would see. The Lions had their chances to score early in the game. MHU fumbled the ball on the Tornados' 3-yardline with 13:31 left in the half. The Lions' then turned the ball over on downs with 2:46 left in the second quarter on the Brevard 23 yard line.

Jacob McCleary picked off a Mars Hill pass and scampered 74 yards for a Brevard Touchdown with 12:32 on the clock in the third frame. Noboa's kick was good and the Tornados led 14-0. On the ensuing kickoff, MHU fumbled the ball and Brevard regained possession at the Lions' 47-yardline. The teams traded possessions before the Tornados drove 53 yards on 10 plays to take a 21-0 lead after a 7-yard scoring run by Caleb Stephens and another PAT kick by Noboa.

After a Mars Hill punt, Brevard drove 74 yards on eight plays highlighted by a 22–yard run and a 14-yard reception from Stephens. Jordan Ollis ran in from eight yards out with 12:30 left in the fourth quarter. Noboa's kick was good and Brevard enjoyed a 28-0 lead.

A 26-yard interception return by Devon Holmes gave the Tornados the ball on the Lions 1-yardline. On the next play, Jack Woerner dove across the goal line to end Brevard's scoring in the game with 12:11 left in regulation. Noboa's PAT was true again and Brevard led 35-0.

The Lions put a solid drive together on their next possession marching 75 yards on seven plays capped off by Holmes 24-yard touchdown reception. Victor Yurco's PAT kick split the uprights to make the score 35-7 with 10:39 left to play. Troy Harris forced a fumble in the next series but the Lions could not convert a score offensively as Brevard prevailed with the victory.

Mars Hill will host North Greenville University on Saturday, October 19. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.