ELIZABETH CITY — Livingstone’s dream of an unbeaten season will not come true this year. Elizabeth City State routed Livingstone 59-21.
A Drew Powell to Jalen Hendricks touchdown pass just 3 minutes, 57 seconds into the game gave the Blue Bears (4-1) a 7-0 lead.
Petey Boone’s 1-yard run less than two minutes later tied the game at 7. Quarterback Will Boyette hooked up with William Ellegor, Lovi Rose-Banks and Antonio Huff for a 28-7 lead at the break.
Boyette finished the game 15 of 22 for 185 yards and four touchdowns to four different receivers.
Livingstone tried to come back at the start of the second half. Hildon Bush forced Huff to fumble the opening kickoff and then he recovered the ball at the Elizabeth City State 18. Powell and Austin Higgins connected for a touchdown on the next play, and the Blue Bears were down only 28-14.
Powell was 20 of 40 for 217 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Hendricks hauled in nine passes for 143 yards and a pair of scores.
The Vikings bounced back with a 38-yard scoring run by Kenny King and a 22-yard touchdown pass from Boyette to A.J. Mundle for a 42-14 lead.
The Vikings scored 21 points in the third quarter as they pulled away for the win.
King had only nine carries, but he made the most of them for 120 yards and a touchdown. Ronald Gray had two carries for 64 yards and a touchdown, a 70-yard sprint to the end zone in the fourth quarter. Boone ran the ball 20 times for 66 yards.