Football Claims Mayor's Cup Trophy

SALISBURY, NC – Red-shirt freshman quarterback BJ Sherrill (Cleveland, NC/W. Rowan HS) enjoyed his first career start as he threw for 317 yards and three scores in Catawba’s 49-17 win over visiting Livingstone in football action on Saturday night at Shuford Stadium and Kirkland Field.  The win retains the Mayor’s Cup Trophy for the Catawba Indians, who improve to 2-0.  The Blue Bears fall to 0-2.

After a penalty negated the game’s first play from scrimmage, Sherrill made the first official snap memorable as he completed a 57-yard scoring pass to Payton McCollum (Winston-Salem, NC/Mount Tabor HS) just 23 seconds into the contest.  McCollum caught just two passes on the day, but both went for touchdowns.

Livingstone answered the first Catawba score with an 11-pay, 76-yard march that was capped on a one-yard run by Drew Powell.  Late in the first quarter, Jumal Rolle (Wilson, NC/Beddingfield HS) blocked a Blue Bear punt that set the Indians up inside the five-yard-line.  Bobby Morrison (Statesville, NC/W. Iredell HS) cashed in with a two-yard and a 14-7 Catawba lead.

Sherrill capped a 73-yard drive with a one-yard run early in the second quarter then threw a 36-yard strike to McCollum to give the Indians a 28-7 lead with 2:51 to go in the half.  Livingstone pulled within 35-17 early in the fourth quarter, but a 70-yard kickoff return from LJ McCray (Charlotte, NC/Harding HS) led to a short run by Marco Gupton (Salisbury, NC/W. Rowan HS/Utah) and Rolle help set up the final score after he blocked field goal try.

Nate Charest (Charlotte, NC/Butler HS) had seven catches for 119 yards and a score for the Indians.  Morrison scored twice and led the ground attack with 50 yards.  McCray added an interception to his two blocked kicks and was also in on two stops for losses.  CJ Barksdale (Simpsonville, NC/Hillcrest HS) recorded a pair of sacks.

Powell led the Blue Bears as he threw for 305 yards on 30-of-45 passing.  He threw for a score and ran for another, also leading Livingstone with 65 rushing yards.  Avery Collins caught 11 passes for 85 yards.  Wesley Jackson had a pair of sacks on defense and totaled three and half stops for losses.

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