September 8, 2007

MARS HILL , NC - Chappell Rose (Orlando, FL) rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Lions to a 35-7 victory over Brevard College Saturday afternoon in the Ammons Family Sports Complex and Meares Stadium. MHC improved to 2-0 while BC fell to 0-3 on the season.

It was an exciting day at MHC as the Lions played their first contest on the new artificial turf and the game was highlighted by the W. Scott Merrill Press Box dedication. Prior to kickoff, Congressman Heath Shuler was in attendance with the Merrill family at midfield as he delivered the official coin toss. The Morgan Silver Dollar used for the coin toss in today’s game was a gift of college donor and friend Miss Louise Nanney.

BC got on the board first when John Taylor dove in from a yard out with 1:24 left in the first quarter. Chase Henry's PAT kick was good and the Tornados led 7-0.

Ricky Spradling (Roan Mountain, NC) tied the contest at 7-all with 12:40 left in the second frame when he scampered in from 11 yards out. The PAT kick by Chase Harris (Chiefland, FL) split the uprights and the teams carried the 7-7 tie into the locker room at the intermission.

The second half belonged to the Lions. MHC scored 28 unanswered points to win their home opener. Rose scored his first touchdown of the day on a one-yard plunge with 8:39 left in the third stanza and then He put the Lions up 21-7 with 2:40 left in the third period on a eight-yard score. Freshman linebacker Zach Johnson (Newland, NC), who played extremely well both on defense and special teams, recovered a BC fumble on the ensuing kickoff to extend the Lions lead to 28-7 with 2:28 left in the third quarter.

Rose ended the scoring with 5:51 left in regulation on a one-yard dive. Harris was perfect on the day in PAT kick attempts.

MHC is now 110-87-1 at home and 2-0 in the series against BC. Rose averaged 5.5 yards per carry while Spradling was 14-for-20 for 186 yards and one interception. Tyrea Allen (Murphy, NC) caught four passes for 50 yards. Rashawn Champion (Jacksonville, FL) led the Lions' defense with seven tackles (6 solo) and a interception in MHC's end zone that he returned 24 yards to prevent a possible BC score with 6:30 left in the third quarter. Johnson also had a big day as he also made seven stops (6 solo) along with the fumble recovery for a score.

MHC tallied 380 yards of total offense, 194 on the ground. The Lions' defense held BC to just 92 rushing yards and 145 yards of total offense.

MHC will play at the University of the Cumberland's next Saturday. Kickoff is set for a 1:30 p.m. start.

(Photos by Mike Thornhill & Samantha Waldroup)

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