Staff report
Catawbaís football struggles continued with a 25-7 loss to North Greenville on Saturday afternoon in Tigerville, S.C.
The Indians (2-7) dropped their fourth in a row since a win against UNC Pembroke on Oct. 1.
Catawbaís defense played tougher than in recent games, but Justin Gravely kicked three field goals for the Crusaders (7-2), and Idris Anderson scored a pair of touchdowns. It was the fifth straight win for North Greenville, which is ranked fifth in the South Region.
Catawba held QB Willy Korn to four completions and 101 passing yards, but North Greenville pounded out 227 yards on the ground.
Jacob Charest had 180 yards passing for the Indians, but Catawbaís ground game was nonexistent, managing just 36 net yards on 20 rushing attempts. Josh Wright was held to 12 yards on seven carries.
Nate Charest had six catches for 59 yards to pace the receiving corps.
Defensively, C.J. Barksdale and Jason Taylor had sacks, and Taylor forced and recovered a fumble. Lakeem Perry made 10 tackles.
North Greenvilleís first score was set up by a 63-yard punt return by Isaiah Johnson to the Catawba 3. The Crusaders punched in the touchdown with 5:40 left in the first quarter.
Gravelyís second-quarter field goal made it 10-0 at halftime. Catawba had a deflating miss of a 25-yard field goal after a long drive.
The Crusaders went ahead 12-0 with a third-quarter safety when Catawba suffered a bad snap on a shotgun snap.
Then North Greenville scored 10 quick points early in the fourth quarter to put the game away.
Catawba trailed 25-0 by the time Bobby Morrison scored on a 5-yard run with 3:41 remaining to cap a 60-yard drive. Thomas Trexler added the PAT.
The Charest brothers connected on a 31-yard pass play to key the scoring drive.
ěItís always good to get a win, especially against the SAC teams,î North Greenville coach Jamey Chadwell said. ěThe only thing you can do is beat the guys in front of you and weíd be in first if we were in their league.î
North Greenville plays at Wingate next Saturday. Catawba is at Brevard.