Warriors drop heartbreaker

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on September 18, 2007 3:15 PM

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After waiting four days for an outcome, Eastern Wayne's lone glimmer of hope turned into heartbreak in the blink of an eye Monday evening.

Trailing 17-14 and precious seconds ticking way, Warrior placekicker Will Hughes trotted onto the field to attempt a game-tying, 23-yard field goal. The senior never touched the ball.

The snap sailed over holder Michael Mintz's head and with it went Eastern Wayne's potential shot at overtime. West Craven (3-1 overall) recovered the ball, ran out the clock and escaped Little Big Horn with a 17-14 victory.

The Eagles denied the Warriors (3-2) their 12th non-conference win since 2005.

"It was just a high snap and those things happen," said Eastern Wayne coach Jeff Price. "That's the way it goes."

Play resumed Monday after lightning caused a suspension in play on Friday.

Dwight Ulmer and Hassan Best shared the rushing duties on a 10-play, 61-yard drive late in the fourth quarter. Ulmer converted a pivotal third-and-8 play with 36-yard run which put the Warriors inside the Eagles' red zone.

West Craven's defense stiffened and the four-minute drive stalled at the 6-yard line. Seconds later, the Eagles recovered the Warriors' botched field goal attempt.

"We found a groove and got them on their heels," said Price. "We just kind of boned it up down there. We got something going, we just couldn't finish it. To come away empty handed that hurts.

"That's part of the game you have to live with it and move on."

The Eagles' Brett Mooring finished 22-for-34 passing with 286 yards, as West Craven accumulated 372 total yards of total offense. Eastern Wayne tallied just 132 total yards.

The Warriors travel to North Lenoir on Sept. 28.

West Craven 0 10 7 0 -- 17

Eastern Wayne 14 0 0 0 -- 14

First quarter

EW -- Ulmer 75 kick return (Hughes kick), 11:45

EW -- Brofft 4 run (Hughes kick), 1:28

Second quarter

WC -- Mooring 1 run (Murphy kick), 11:00

WC -- Murphy 23 field goal, 2.3

Third quarter

WC -- Mooring 2 run (Murphy kick), 2:24

WC EW

First downs 19 6

Rushes-yds 34-86 33-132

Passing yds 286 9

Total yards 372 132

C-A-I 22-34-0 1-9-1

Fumbles-lost 4-1 2-1

Penalties-yds 6-62 11-88

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Eastern Wayne -- Hassan Best 16-47; Dwight Ulmer 5-43; Eric Brofft 6-25, TD; Lamar Lamb 4-15; Michael Mintz 1-2; Brandon McCullen 1-0. West Craven -- Marc C. Lewis 17-80; Derek Hill 1-3; Chris Ipock 1-8; Brett Mooring 15-(-5), 2 TDs.

PASSING -- Eastern Wayne -- Michael Mintz 1-6-0 9; Dan Price 0-1-1; Hassan Best 0-1-0 0; Dwight Ulmer 0-1-0 0. West Craven -- Brett Mooring 22-34-0 286.

RECEIVING -- Eastern Wayne -- Eric Brofft 1-9. West Craven -- Jimmy Gross 11-127; Erik Highsmith 4-60; Ryan Murphy 4-54; Serge McMillen 3-45.