Box Score
CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.(Sept. 19) – Waynesburg's season-opening two-game-winning streak came to an end in Kentucky on Saturday as they dropped a 47-24 contest to the defending Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) champions from Thomas More.
The game was the PAC-opener for both squads, as the Jackets dropped to 2-1 (1-0) on the season, while the Saints, who were coming off of their bye week, improved to 2-0 (1-0).
Thomas More was able to get off to a hot start as they took an 18-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Senior running back Cordario Collier got the scoring going when he pulled in a 24-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Trevor Stellman. Stellman then ran in the two-point conversion to put his team up 8-0 with 7:44 to go in the opening quarter.
After Aaron Walter knocked in a 22-yard field goal with 2:24 left in the period (11-0 Saints), sophomore Kendall Owens took off on a 60-yard sprint to pay dirt with just seconds left in the quarter. Walter's extra point made it 18-0, which was the score as the period expired.
Needing a touchdown to stay in the game, Waynesburg head coach Rick Shepas turned to junior quarterback Brad Dawson who has gotten his season off to a stellar start. The Pittsburgh native came through as he found senior wide receiver Josh Fisher in the end zone from four yards out on fourth and goal with 9:05 to go in the second.
Freshman Jon Storck tacked on the PAT, which brought the score to 18-7 early in the second.
Thomas More rebuilt a three-score advantage just a few minutes later as Stellman hooked up with Owens on a 15-yard scoring play with 6:53 showing on the clock. Another Walter extra point put the Saints ahead 25-7.
After Stellman tossed his third touchdown of the half, this one to senior wide receiver Chris Farley, Thomas More had a 31-7 lead. Waynesburg then blocked the ensuing extra point and senior safety #Dylan August# took it back for a two point play that cut the advantage to 31-9.
Unfortunately for Waynesburg, that's as close as the Jackets could get to the Saints piled on the next 16 points on two touchdowns and a field goal, which gave the home team a 47-9 advantage.
The Jackets were able to score the final 15 points on a 44-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Jamelle Bowers, which followed by Fisher pulling in the two-point conversion, and a 24-yard Brad Dawson to Bobby Francis touchdown pass.
Though he didn't put up the eye-popping numbers that he did over the first two weeks of the season (647 yards, eight passing touchdowns), Dawson still played a solid game. The right-handed signal-caller completed 20-of-36 attempts for 206 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
Junior wide receiver Ray Hightower II led the Jackets in both catches (5) and receiving yardage (55). Bowers led the rushing attack with six carries for a game-high 77 yards.
The Saints were led, offensively, by Stellman and Owens. The senior signal-caller threw for 247 yards and four touchdowns, while also rushing for seven yards. Owens showcased all of his talents by throwing and rushing for touchdowns, while also hauling in a scoring grab. He had a team-leading 73 yards rushing on five carries, while adding 44 yards passing and 16 yards receiving to his day.
First-year junior linebacker Troy Cree had perhaps his best effort since joining the Yellow Jackets, as he led the defense with a game-high eight solo tackles as part a contest-best 10 total tackle performance. The Waynesburg native also had a sack.
Junior linebacker Gino Scampone added nine tackles (four of them solo stops) and a tackle for loss. As a team, Waynesburg piled up seven tackles for loss and three sacks.
Each team recovered a pair of fumbles, while Thomas More held a 33:01 to 26:59 advantage in time of possession.
Waynesburg will try to start a new winning streak next Saturday, when they host Saint Vincent at John F. Wiley Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
