By Devin McCullough
The UNC Pembroke Braves football team (0-2) dropped their second straight game in the Two Rivers Classic against Fayetteville State University 35-31 this Saturday evening.
The game ended in thrilling fashion with the injured Collin Johnson coming off the bench for the last drive after not playing the entire game. Johnson came in and lead a go ahead touchdown drive on a pass to TE Jayden Smith to go up 31-28 with 1:12 to play. The Broncos immediately answered with a 60-yard drive where quarterback Demari Daniels scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown run to win the game.
The Braves entered the game with true freshmen backup Tre Robinson at the helm of the ship. The Braves received the opening kick to start as their offensive script was efficiently executed with Robinson throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Josiah Hayes to cap off a 75-yard drive. The Broncos entered the Braves territory on the next drive but had to settle for a 29-yard field goal to make the score 7-3. Late in the first quarter, Robinson fumbled near midfield giving the Broncos favorable field position. The Braves continued their stinginess on defense however, only allowing three points again to draw the Broncos within one point at the start of the second quarter.
After an exchange of punts by both teams the Braves were forced into another 3 and out where the punt unit made a huge blunder with the Broncos blocking the punt and returning it for a touchdown to make the score 13-7 Broncos way.
With the Broncos driving deep into the Braves territory, the Braves defense was able to create a much needed turnover with defensive back James Johnson forcing and recovering a fumble to stop the Broncos in their tracks.
The Braves were not able to get anything going on the following drive making it their fourth consecutive punt. On the next drive, the tenacious Braves defense came up with another forced turnover that went all the way for 6 with D’Marcus Harrington intercepting and returning it for a 40-yard touchdown to edge the Braves ahead 14-13 with 3:14 left in the first half.
After forcing a quick three and out from the Broncos, the Braves were set up at the Broncos 36 yard line after a 26 yard return from Josiah Hayes. A few plays later, Robinson would throw a laser touchdown to Josh Jenkins from 17-yards out to put the Braves up 21-13 to end the half.
Coming out of half, the Braves were able to strike first with a field goal from Jackson Hills to make it a 24-13 game. The Broncos instantly answered with a huge 44-yard pass, before throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass the very next play and successfully converting to the 2-point conversion to make it 24-21 late in the third quarter.
The Broncos again scored on a 7-play 52-yard drive and gave them the 28-24 lead with 8:39 to go in the 4th. Both teams traded punts putting the game time down to 5:33 before the Braves began their last drive.
Nearing midfield the Braves were stopped in their tracks on a 4th and 5 and burned their first timeout, gearing up to go for it. On a rollout, Robinson used his legs to gain the first down before taking a wallop of a hit on the Braves sideline. Collin Johnson was then forced into the game to finish the drive off going 3 for 3 and adding a touchdown to put the Braves up 31-28.
The Broncos last drive was all about chunk plays with their first 3 plays going for 16, 14, and 19-yard plays to put them at the Braves 30-yard line. A few plays later, the Broncos would run it in from the 11-yard line with only 14 seconds left. Collin Johnson would throw an interception in a last second heave to end the game 35-31.
Tre Robinson finished the game 13-for-24 on passing attempts throwing for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. Josiah Hayes led the team with 4 catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. Jaquan Kelly pitched in averaging almost 5 yards a carry on 10 attempts. The defense forced 2 turnovers with huge momentum shifts with a forced fumble and recovery by James Johnson and the pick 6 by D’Marcus Harrington.
The Braves (0-2, 0-0 MEC) will travel to University of Charleston (2-0, 0-0 MEC) for the first conference game of the season on September 21st at 1pm after the Braves much needed bye week.