UNCP Photo/ Willis Glassgow
By Jayden Berkin, Sports Journalist
Every kicker’s dream is to hit a game-winning field goal for their team, and that dream came true for Freshman Kicker Ty Woods Friday afternoon as the UNC Pembroke Braves took on rival Fayetteville State Broncos. Back and forth both teams went, but eventually, there had to be a winner, and it was the Braves kicking a game-winning field goal for the 19-17 victory in the “Two Rivers Classic.”
“I think the biggest question I had coming in is what was gonna be our toughness level, you know mentally and physically how was the team going to respond when our backs were against the wall. I think it’s credit to the coaches but more importantly credit to the players. It really bought into what we’ve tried to accomplish in the last nine months, and we couldn’t have a tougher situation to start the season,” coach Mark Hall said.
Trailing 17-16 with just nine seconds remaining, it was all down to Woods to nail a field goal from 24-yards out to give the Braves the lead and the eventual victory. Blocking out the noise, stadium silent waiting for the kick and then it happens the ball sails through the uprights and the Braves sideline erupts in cheers as the Braves just reclaimed the Two Rivers Classic Trophy in dramatic fashion and secure coach Hall’s first win.
When asked how Woods was able to tune out the noise in Grace P. Johnson Stadium, he reflected on his high school playing days.
“I was kind of blessed in high school to be a part of some big games. So, it’s easier for me to block out now that I’ve been doing it for a few years,” Woods said.
Here is how we got to that defining moment. The Braves got on the board first after being forced to kick a field goal that was good 31 yards out to make it 3-0. The Broncos responded with 1:01 to go in the first quarter when Derrick Alston Jr. gave the Broncos the lead on a 20-yard run. Down 7-3 the Braves would make it a one-point game with a 43-yard field goal from Woods. The Broncos would go into the half with the one-point lead.
“I think they were kind of suffocating us a little bit in the back end. They weren’t really respecting our ability to go down the field, so we decided to double move Trey Dixon and the safety bit up on it and we were able to make an explosive play off it,” Hall said.
The Braves started the second half driving down the field and finding the endzone on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Celeb Pierce to Dixon to take back the lead 13-7. The Broncos were held to a field goal to cut the Braves lead to 13-10. In the fourth quarter, Woods would extend the lead with a field goal to make it 16-10 but the Broncos responded with a 95-yard kick return to make it 17-16 Broncos –leading up the game-winning field goal.
A strong showing from Quarterback Caleb Pierce, finishing with 17 completions for 259 yards with one touchdown, one interception, and a successful final drive that led to the game winning field goal.
Pierce attributes the team’s success late in the 4th quarter to his teammates.
“It was a testament to our guys and how hard we worked in the off-season,” Pierce said. “We played not great at times, we put ourselves in some bad spots, but the kids just kept on battling, and we talk about finding ways to win and that’s what they did.”
The Braves (1-0) hit the road this Thursday to play the West Virginia State Yellow Jackets (0-1) on September 7th at Lakin Field at Dickerson Stadium.