Late Defensive Stand Helps EWC To Division Win Over Faulkner

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- With the visiting Faulkner Eagles (3-4, 0-3 MSC Sun) faced with a 4th & 1 at the EWC 25 yard line with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, Edward Waters (4-3, 2-1 MSC Sun) was able to rise to the challenge and make the game-sealing stop to pick up an emotional 15-13 Mid-South Conference Sun Division home win on Saturday afternoon at the University Christian Football Complex.

The Tigers were the aggressors early in the contest after an interception from DB Darrian Hall on Faulkner's second possession placed the ball at the 35. Four plays later, QB Derrick Jones found WR David Beeks on a crossing pattern for a 14-yard touchdown to crack open the scoring at 7-0.

After a three & out from the Eagles on their next drive, Edward Waters added to their lead with 5:02 left in the first quarter. The Tigers capped a seven-play, 74 yard drive as RB Richard Montgomery found the promised land on a 23-yard screen pass. Edward Waters used the "swinging gate" on their PAT attempt as DB Christian Hayes darted into the endzone for two-point conversion, extending the lead to 15-0.

The visitors eventually got on the scoreboard to start the second quarter on a one-yard rushing TD from Josh Gaines to bring Faulkner to within eight points of the lead at 15-7 and that is where the score remained going into halftime.

Neither team was able to put points on the scoreboard until 11:45 mark of the fourth quarter as Faulkner scored on a penalty aided drive. Josh Gaines scored his second touchdown of the night to bring the Eagles to within two. The Eagles' two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful keeping the Tigers with a two point advantage.

BOX SCORE

The teams exchanged three & outs on the next three drives, setting up the penultimate moment of the game with Faulkner driving from the EWC 34-yard line. Faulkner advanced the ball to the EWC 25-yard line and elected to go for it on 4th & 1. Josh Gaines took the hand-off around left end and the Tigers defense was able to quickly close the door to hold him to a minimal gain. The officials brought the chains and detemined that Gaines was a half yard short of the first down, giving the Tigers the ball on downs.

Two Derrick Jones kneel downs later, and Edward Waters was able to seal the deal on a 15-13 home victory.

With the win, EWC snapped a five-game home losing streak and goes above .500 in a season for the first time since 2012 when the Tigers opened the season with a 66-34 win over Point.

Edward Waters was able to come up with two takaways in the game, hold the Eagles to a season low 13 points, 108 yards rushing, and hold them to 4-of-17 on third down.

EWC is now 4-1 in their last five games and keeps pace in the Mid-South Conference Sun Division standings being tied for 2nd place with Southeastern.

Derrick Jones finished 12-20 passing for 119 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 13 carries for 37 yards. Richard Montgomery had eight carries for 38 yards and two catches for 24 yards and a touchdown. David Beeks led the Tigers in receiving with seven catches, a season-high 85 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, EWC was led by LB Cedric Lewis with a career-high 10 tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss, and a half sack. DB Kennard Mahone had eight tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss, and an interception, LB Elijah Spivey also had eight tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, and a half sack.

Edward Waters will celebrate Homecoming next Saturday at 3:00pm as they welcome MSC Sun Division Co-Leaders, Ave Maria into the University Christian Football Complex.

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