SHREVEPORT, LA – In the wake of Hurricane Isaac, unbeknownst to the Bayou beloved Bengals another storm was brewing on the Reservation and set to make landfall Saturday, September 1 at 3301 Pershing Boulevard. Under the bright lights and cloudy skies of Independence Stadium the Braves anxiously awaited their opportunity to take the field; being led by first year head coach Jay Hopson.
Grambling State started the game with signs of an explosive offense showing balance between its rushing and passing games, evident with the quick first quarter scoring drive giving them a 7-0 advantage over the Braves. Amid a poised and confident Alcorn offensive unit waiting in the wings, led by an offensive scheme mastermind in coordinator Willie Simmons, the Braves corralled a scoring drive of their own with a hand-off from Darius Smith; Joe Price takes one to the end zone with 2:16 left in the first quarter sending Braves Nation into a football frenzy. With a missed field goal for the PAT, the Braves end the first quarter with the Tigers leading 7-6.
As the dark clouds hovered and the wind began to move mightily, so did Dawrence Roberts; rushing for 98 yards before succumbing to cramps but not before he helped the Tigers build a 14-9 lead over the Braves in the first half of gridiron action in the Port City Classic.
As Hopson's reverberating voice echoed throughout the locker room at the half, reminding the players that they deserve to win, resonating on the ears and hearts of the ban of brothers; we saw a different Braves team emerge in the second half. Although, we completed three quarters of play with the G-Men up by twelve, the fourth quarter produced a shift in the atmosphere on and off the field.
With gusting winds, heavy waves of rain and the lightning speed of Terrance Lewis, it was evident that Hurricane Hopson had made landfall with one goal in my mind, devastating those donning the black and gold.
The fourth quarter of Braves football saw touchdowns from Darius Smith and Arnold Walker. The Tigers fumbled two punts inside their 15-yard line, in which the Braves recovered and converted into nine points. Arnold Walker's touchdown with 1:33 remaining in regulation capped a 13-point fourth-quarter rally by the Braves to give them their first lead of the contest. Hit with a critical pass interference penalty with mere seconds left on the clock, the Braves eagerly watched on as the G-Men positioned themselves to regain control of the scoreboard. With victory and faith hanging on the foot of Fabian Carter and the clock expiring, Grambling's field goal attempt is blocked and the Braves hold on to defeat the defending SWAC champs 22-21 in a thrilling backyard brawl, giving Coach Hopson his first win as a head coach.
“Winning one game is just one game, yes you are excited about the win but as a coach you are more concerned with watching the film to assess the good, the bad, and start preparing for the next opponent. We have a long road ahead of us but I am extremely proud of these guys and they deserved this win,” said Hopson.
A major part of the Braves victory can be attributed to the veteran leadership and play-calling of offensive coordinator Willie Simmons. With him at the helm of the offense, the Braves are sure to have winning embedded in their pedigree.
“I think the 70 yard scoring drive when we were down 21-9 really swung the momentum. The defense did an outstanding job of keeping Grambling offense off the scoreboard in the fourth quarter and our team's perseverance paid off in the end,” said Coach Willie Simmons. “This win is significant on so many levels for this team and our coaching staff but the way the game was played really reaffirms what Coach Hopson talks about daily, which is overcoming adversity and playing as eleven brothers. I am very proud of these young men,” Simmons added.
The Braves travel to Harrisonburg, VA on September 8 to take on the Dukes of James Madison University. Kick-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. at Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field.
