WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - Tyrea Allen (Murphy, N.C.) caught a 73-yard touchdown strike from Ricky Spradling (Roan Mountain, Tenn.) with 13:17 left in the fourth quarter to propel the Lions to a 38-35 road victory at West Liberty State College Saturday afternoon. MHC improved to 3-1 on the year while WLSC fell to an even 2-2 on the season.WLSC scored the only points in the first frame before the offensive onslaught began in the second quarter. The Lions won the second frame 21-14 to send the teams into the locker room at the intermission tied at 21-all. Jonas Randolph (Daleville, Ala.), Spradling and George Washington (Warner Robbins, Ga.) all had rushing touchdowns in the first half of play. Michael Pinkerton (Bogart, Ga.) connected on all three PAT kick attempts.
The Hilltoppers took a 28-21 lead with 5:46 left in the third stanza before Allen caught a 71-yard touchdown pass from Spradling on the Lions' first play from scrimmage on the ensuing possession to tie the game again at 28-all. Pinkerton then nailed an important 37-yard field goal at the 1:08 mark in the third quarter. Those three points would later prove to be the difference in the game.
Eddie Hills caught a four-yard pass from Zach Amedro with 14:14 left in regulation to give the Hilltoppers a 35-31 advantage but just over a minute later, Allen's game-winning reception led the Lions to victory. Allen finished the day with six catches for 195 yards and two scores.
Spradling was 10-18 for 322 yards passing while Washington rushed for 84 yards on 25 carries. Zach Johnson (Newland, N.C.) led the Lions' defense with eight tackles (7 solo), four tackles-for-loss and a sack.
Brandon Edmond (East Dublin, Ga.) followed with seven stops, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Pinkerton was a perfect 5-5 in PAT kicks plus the 37-yard field goal.
Mars Hill will host SAC rival Catawba College in the Lions' conference opener next Saturday, September 27. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
