Saint Augustine’s Falcons Punch Bears for Lone Win of the Season

RALEIGH, NC – The Saint Augustine’s University Falcons (1-6 CIAA, 1-7 overall) couldn’t have found a better way to conclude their arduous season. They did just that, as they defeated their rival, the Shaw Bears (6-3 overall, 5-1 CIAA), in a 21-17 victory, in a cold and windy afternoon at the George Williams Athletic Complex on the campus of Saint Augustine’s University. This game was the first win of the season for the Falcons, while Shaw saw their three-game winning streak snapped.

The Bears first got on the board when sophomore running back Andre Brandon Jr. from Baltimore, MD, scored on a two-yard run to take a 7-0 lead with 7:41 to go during the 1st quarter.

However, after a key interception by Senior Linebacker – Demetrius Johnson (Baltimore, Maryland) at the end of the 1st quarter. The Falcons got on board when freshman quarterback Christopher Perkins threw a touchdown pass to Cary, NC native wideout Anthony Archie, as they tied the Bears at 7-7, with 12:43 left in the 2nd quarter.

The Falcons performed great defense, as they forced a turnover on downs by stopping the rushing attack by Shaw’s Sidney Gibbs. However, thanks to a field goal by Freshman kicker Devin Versteegen (Rolesville, NC), the Bears led the Falcons at the half, 10-7.

On their halftime effort, Saint Augustine’s coach David Bowser commented, “I’m just proud of how the guys are coming out, and the coaches have done a great job in getting ready. We told the guys that this is a rivalry game. This is a classic for the trophy, so we’re going to make this thing happen today. So, that’s what our focus was.” He added, “They’re young, but they decided to grow up today since it’s their rival.”

Shaw Bears coach Adrian Jones commented on his team’s first-half performance, “Defensively, we’re doing pretty good, but offensively, we need to pick it up.” He added, “We should have a little bit more points on the board, but I’ll take us being up. We just gotta go out there and finish the game.” In the second half, his plans were to “protect the ball, score some points and make sure we do great on special teams.”

The Shaw Bears opened the 3rd quarter with possession of the ball. However, Saint Aug recovered for a touchdown and took the lead 14-10, with 8:44 left thanks to a botched punt attempt.

The Falcons also followed it up when Raleigh native Marcus Davis recovered a fumble for the touchdown, as they led by the score of 21-10, with 1:44 left in the 3rd quarter.

The Shaw Bears refused to let up after a touchdown run by Sidney Gibbs (Black Mountain, NC) to cut the Falcons lead to 21-17. This occurred during 9:25 left in the 4th quarter.

The Falcons ended up winning by that score. On the victory, Coach Bowser commented, “I feel great. These kids and coaches did a great job, and I’m proud of them. I’m overwhelmed right now. If people really understood all these kids who endured and the criticism that they’ve taken. What people realized how hard they’ve worked and how everything came together.” He added, “Today, we beat a really good Shaw football team, and we’re on the right track. I’m proud of these guys, and I want them to enjoy it because they deserve it!”

On the victory, Falcon junior defensive tackle Marcus Davis said, “Man, it’s definitely one for the community. It gives us the joy and the excitement for the off-season to work hard and get ready for the next season. It’s definitely for the community and for us and the coaching staff and the players.”

On preparing against Shaw, Davis explained, “Honestly, we knew that it was the last game for the seniors. We wanted to go out with a bang for them, and I feel we were locked in. We knew what we had to do to prepare, and we did just that by coming out on top.”

He gave credit to Shaw, calling them “a great team,” while explaining that “it was a hard-fought win and it wasn’t easy.” The Raleigh native finished the game with three tackles and a sack.

Redshirt freshman wideout Anthony Archie (Cary, NC) was ecstatic about the Falcons victory by saying, “I feel great! The team came together, and the chemistry clicked. We finally did it.” He added, “The team played great. I played great. We all did. We came together as a team and took a W.” Archie scored a touchdown to go along with his 80 receiving yards.

Falcons freshman quarterback, Christopher Perkins (Spring Lake, NC), felt great about their first and only victory of the season. He explained, “It’s amazing to have that first victory under your belt and to beat your cross-town rival, too. It feels amazing.” He added, “We kept working hard and working hard in practice, and eventually, we were going to win. So, we kept working hard in practice,” in reference to the Falcons preparation against Shaw. Plus, on next season, he commented, “Once we mature and keep progressing, we’ll be something to handle next year.” Perkins amassed 98 passing yards and a touchdown.

Shaw outgained Saint Aug 186-87 in rushing yards, thanks to in large part of Sidney Gibbs’ 138 rushing yards. The Falcons should use this game to prepare them for next year to have a better season, while Shaw looks forward to having another successful season.