BLUEFIELD, W.V. - The Apprentice School football team fell to NCAA Division II opponent Bluefield State Saturday afternoon in a heartbreaker, 22-19.

The Builders outgained the Big Blue by 150 yards, held the ball for 20 more minutes and were much more efficient on third downs, but three turnovers and 12 penalties came back to haunt Apprentice in the game.

The Builders took an early 9-0 lead through the first quarter on the back of a 38-yard field goal from Jeremiah Morgan and a Ta'Kevion Petty 20-yard touchdown reception before Bluefield State found the scoreboard early in the second quarter.

Leading 9-7 at the break, Morgan hit a 21-yard field goal with 8:05 to go in the third quarter to extend the Apprentice lead to 12-7. The Big Blue answered as the third quarter ended on an 82-yard touchdown pass to take their first lead of the game, 15-12.

The Builders responded on their next drive as Mason Tatum plunged in from a yard out to cap a 10 play, 75 yard drive and retake the lead at 19-15. Bluefield State scored on their next drive on another long pass play to push the score to 22-19.

Apprentice had opportunities to either tie or take the lead, but a missed field goal and a tip drill interception sealed the win for Bluefield State and ended the unbeaten start for the Builders.

A pair of bye weeks are next up for Apprentice with the next game set for October 22 at home against Central International College. Tickets will go on sale this week for the 1 p.m. kickoff in Newport News.