NEWPORT NEWS, VA. - Thomas Baertsch's 26-yard field goal on
fourth down in the first overtime period lifted Webber
International to a 13-10 victory over The Apprentice School on
Trades Day at Apprentice Field.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Warriors broke through
first 17 seconds into the quarter as Baertsch drilled a 34-yard
field goal to close out a 10-play, 35-yard drive. The drive
started after Webber held the Builders on a three-and-out series
taking over on its 48-yardline.
Apprentice School's defense stood the test in the first half
forcing two turnovers and held Webber on a fourth down and goal
from the Builder three as Jeremy Drayton and Robert Hannah combined
to stop Rupert Webley on the one.
In the third quarter, the Builders' broke through on the
scoreboard as freshman Kieron Paulin barreled in on a 14-yard run
to cap a 31-yard scoring drive. The scoring drive was set up
by the defense holding Webber inside the five-yard line.
Paulin, who ended up with 133 yards on 25 carries, covered all 31
yards on three plays in 72 seconds to give the Builders a 7-3 lead
with 5:31 left in the third.
The fourth quarter saw the Warriors answer on a 90-yard scoring
drive that took nearly five minutes and ended with a fortuitous
bounce. Quarterback Greg Sneed found Jared Mitchell in the
end zone on a 20-yard scoring pass that was nearly deflected by
Daniel Richmond only to land in Mitchell's hands. Baertsch's
extra-point put Webber (2-7) ahead 10-7 with 6:13 left.
Apprentice School had a drive end on a fumble with 2:01 left,
but was able to hold Webber for one last shot. That came
after a 46 yard punt from Travis Tubbs was downed on the Builder
seven yard line.
Two completions to Jusdon McKee, the last one being a 38-yard
strike to the sideline got the Builders in striking range. A
personal foul penalty after the 38-yard completion put the ball on
Webber's 28. On the next play, a pass interference call
brought the ball to the Warrior 14 with six seconds. Phil
Caralla threw one shot into the end zone just out of the reach of
McKee with one second left. That allowed Matt Edelen to come
in and hit a 30-yard field goal that curled inside the left upright
for a 10-all tie.
In the overtime, Webber held the Builders on their first
possession. Sneed connected with Jamal Carr for a 10-yard
completion and three Webley runs pushed the ball to the Builder
eight-yard line. On fourth down, Baertsch drilled a 26-yard
field goal for the victory.
The Builders were very balanced offensively on Saturday running
and throwing for 145 yards each. Paulin was the leading
rusher in the game for the Builders with 133 yards and one
touchdown. Senior Markim Gordon was the leading receiver with
seven catches for 49 yards while McKee caught his only two passes
on the last scoring drive for 50 yards.
Defensively, Hannah was the leading tackler with 11 and a forced
fumble, while Drayton added eight and James Lee had seven
tackles. Freshman Jovan McCamey had six solo tackles, three
for a loss and one interception.
Next up for the Builders will be ACFC rival Frostburg State
University on November 8 in Frostburg, Maryland at 1 pm.
