Football Loses at North Greenville

TIGERVILLE, S.C. – The Lions' football team lost 56-21 to North Greenville in non-conference football action Saturday night at Younts Stadium. Mars Hill fell to 2-3 overall while the Crusaders improved to 3-2 on the season.

Jamel Harbison rushed for 109 yards on 24 carries averaging 4.5 yards per carry. It was Harbison's fourth consecutive game he has rushed for over 100 yards. He is averaging 113.0 yards per game. Craig Rucker caught seven passes for 129 yards to lead the Lions' receivers. Austin Brown completed 20-42 passes for 231 yards. Chris Leamon recorded a game high 12 tackles (3 solo). DaJon Montague followed with 10 tackles.

Will Hunter completed 12-18 passes for 186 yards and two scores to lead the Crusaders offensively. Mason Sanders was on the receiving end of three of those passes for 51 yards and one score. Tracy Scott rushed for 127 yards on 14 carries adding two touchdowns. Sam Houston led the Crusaders' defense with 11 tackles (2 solo).

The Crusaders got on the board early when Roderick McCray returned a blocked punt for the first score of the game with 13:54 left in the first quarter. Scott then found the endzone on a 59 yard rush to put the Crusaders ahead 14-0 with 10:44 left in the first period. A four-yard rush by Simeon Byrd extended the Crusaders lead to 21-0 with 5:27 left in the first quarter. A half-back pass from Harbison to Keshaun Taylor with 28 seconds left in the opening period trimmed the Lions' deficit to 21-7.

Tristen Jackson then found the endzone on a three-yard dive to make the score 28-7 with 10:51 left in the second quarter. A one-yard rush by Brown reduced the Crusaders' lead to 28-14 with 5:23 left in the first half of play but a two-yard scoring rush by Scott sent the team into the locker rooms at halftime with NGU leading, 35-14.

The Crusaders would score 21 unanswered points in the third quarter to pull away with a 56-14 advantage. Malik Prescott ran in from eight yards out with 2:10 left in regulation to record the final points in the game and make the final score 56-21 in favor of the hosts.

Mars Hill will host SAC rival Newberry in their annual Homecoming Game next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.