Newberry College Football Suffers Tough Loss Against Keiser in Shootout
NEWBERRY — The atmosphere was electric under the bright lights of Setzler Field as fans gathered for another thrilling Wolves football game on Saturday night. Unfortunately for Newberry College (0-2), the excitement ended in a nail-biting defeat as they fell 42-33 to the #1 ranked Keiser Seahawks (2-0) in an intense offensive showdown.
It’s been a shaky start for the Wolves this season, with a mix of highs and lows that has left fans on the edge of their seats. Last week, the offense was able to move the ball effectively but struggled to put points on the board, leaving the defense exposed. Fast forward to this week, and while the offense stepped up their game, the defense faltered, leading to the challenging outcome.
Quarterback Shuffle and Offensive Firepower
Starting quarterback Izayah Whiteside had a rollercoaster of a game. Although he showed great potential with his legs, he was replaced in the second quarter due to the lack of a passing threat. Enter Reed Charpia, who came off the bench and made a significant impact, accounting for an impressive 298 yards of total offense and scoring two touchdowns.
Charpia completed 15 of 28 passes for a total of 226 passing yards, and he also added 72 rushing yards, including two rushing touchdowns. His presence on the field changed the dynamic for the Wolves’ offense, which had seemed predictable for parts of the game. Keith Desassure was Charpia’s favorite target, leading the team with eight catches for 79 receiving yards.
First Quarter Action: Streaks and Scores
The game got off to a typical football start, with both teams being forced to punt after three-and-out offensive drives. But things quickly turned around for Newberry when Jalen Stradford intercepted a pass on the 20-yard line and returned it an impressive 80 yards for a touchdown, giving the Wolves an early 7-0 lead.
However, Keiser wasn’t going to stay quiet for long. They swiftly answered back with a long touchdown drive, leveling the score at 7-7. The second quarter saw both teams score twice, and at halftime, it was the Seahawks leading 21-17.
A Defensive Battle and Late Game Drama
The third quarter turned into a defensive battle, with neither team managing to score initially. Keiser took advantage of a drive late in the quarter, scoring a touchdown to stretch their lead to 28-17.
But the Wolves weren’t done yet! Just a couple of minutes into the final quarter, Quez Spells electrified the crowd with a 33-yard touchdown run, narrowing the gap to 28-24. However, Keiser quickly answered back, with Andrew Brunette breaking loose for a 75-yard touchdown run and capping off a productive night with a total of 134 yards rushing and three rushing touchdowns.
Newberry managed to stay competitive, thanks to a well-placed 37-yard field goal from Bryce Early, making the score 35-27. But Brunette sealed the deal with a final 3-yard touchdown run with just over three minutes left in the game, effectively ending any hopes of a Wolves comeback.
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenging start to the season with two tough losses at home, the Wolves remain determined. They will take to the road next Saturday, September 20, when they face off against Tusculum. Fans are hopeful that with a bit of fine-tuning on defense and continued offensive progress, the Wolves can finally find their footing in the upcoming games.
For now, fans can reflect on an action-packed game filled with moments of brilliance and opportunities for growth as the Wolves continue their journey through the 2024 season.
