Turnovers Costly for Football in 27-20 Loss at UNCP

PEMBROKE, NC -- Catawba fell to host UNC Pembroke 27-20 in football action on Saturday night at Johnson Stadium.  The Braves improve to 4-1, while the Catawba Indians fall to 3-2.

Down 24-17, Catawba drove inside the UNCP 10-yard-line midway through the final quarter, but were held and then missed on a field goal try.  On the next Indian possession, BJ Sherrill (Cleveland, NC/W. Rowan HS) was stripped on a sack and the Braves added a field goal by Connor Haskins. 

Catawba got a late field goal and recovered an on-side kick attempt with 20 seconds left.  After a completion to the UNCP 40-yard line, Sherrill was intercepted on the final play.

Sherrill threw for 371 yards, seventh best in school history, on 32-of-52 passing with the two scores.  Nate Charest (Charlotte, NC/Butler HS) and Jarrid McKinney (Charlotte, NC/Providence HS) each went over 100 yards in receiving.  Charest had 11 catches for 108 yards, while McKinney added 10 receptions for 178 yards.

Catawba scored first, using a 40-yard kickoff return by LJ McCray (Charlotte, NC/Harding HS) to set in good field possession.  Sherrill capped the drive with a 23-yard pass to Diante Hodges (Fayetteville, NC/Smith HS). 

UNCP responded with 17 unanswered points to go on top 17-7.  Michael Isbell ran in from four yards out and Elliott Powell from 15-yards to give the Braves their edge at the 9:35 mark of the second quarter.  Chad Hollandsworth (Kernersville, NC/E. Forsyth HS) pulled Catawba within 17-10 at the break on a 28-yard field goal.

Powell opened the second half with a 97-yard run on the first play from scrimmage to up the lead to 24-10.  Late in the third quarter, Sherrill tossed an 11-yard pass to Charest to close the gap to 24-17.

Bobby Morrison (Statesville, NC/W. Iredell HS) led Catawba on the ground with 67 yards.  The Indians out-gained UNCP 464-316 in total yardage, but lost three fumbles and had the interception.  Powell ran for 139 yards and two scores for the Braves.  Jonathan Efird completed 17-of-23 passes for 130 yards.  UNCP did not have a turnover.