Professor Beth Oppe and GSC President Peter B. Barr
both made their national television debut Thursday night.
Story and photos by Drew Moody
Despite the cold, Glenville State College's fans were in high spirits Thursday night. The Ike and Sue
Morris Stadium now has bright new lights and the Pioneers made history with their first ever nationally
televised football game.
Senior quarterback James McCants led Glenville's efforts completing 16 of 27 passes for 219 yards with two touchdowns.
He scored on a 29-yard run in the third quarter leading the Pioneers with 57 rushing yards.
James McDonald racked up 100-yards receiving for the Pioneers with five receptions.
As the Rams neared the goal line near the close of the second quarter free-safety D.J. Willis forced a fumble
and subsequent turnover halting the Shepherd drive.
D.J. Willis hit a big Shepherd fullback hard driving
him to the turf while stripping the ball out of his
arms forcing a turnover which GSC recovered.
Despite a more than 50-pound weight deficit Willis hit Shepherd's 243-pound fullback
Bobby Humphries so hard it threw him off-balance. Willis took the opportunity to
drive him head-first into the turf while simultaneously stripping the ball out of his arms.
Less than a minute later, with 2-seconds left in the half, Shepherd's Eric Dobratz planted the
ball through the goal posts from 45-yards out taking a 3-0 advantage into the locker room at the half.
The reception of the night and perhaps the season, was an almost unbelievable 56-yard McCants touchdown pass
Antwan Stewart caught with one hand.
It appeared impossible to catch. It had high loft but was slightly under-thrown. Stewart was so focused
on the pigskin it appeared as if his torso was turned facing backwards while his legs ran in the opposite direction.
He stretched toward the ball quickly disproving any doubts it was a wasted effort.
At the mid-way mark of the third quarter GSC took the lead 7-3.
GSC receiver Antwan Stewart made an incredible one-handed
touchdown reception (left) He turns here, reaching backward
for the under-thrown pass. Somehow, Stewart controls the pass
with one hand (right) then takes it into the end zone to score.
Shepherd reclaimed the scoring superiority near the 5-minute mark on a three-yard pass.
The 10-7 advantage didn't hold for long as Glenville's McCants scored on a 29-yard run ending the third quarter.
Glenville State College cheerleaders had to stay bundled up
to stay warm Thursday night at the Ike and Sue Morris Stadium.
GSC added another seven on a McCants / McDonald touchdown.
Kaleb Lawrence had 12 tackles for Glenville State.
Glenville State netted 379 yards of total offense; Shepherd had 205.
Glenville State College completes its 2009 season 7-4 overall, 6-2 in WVIAC play. Shepherd closed their season out at 6-4, 5-3
GSC professor Beth Oppe made her national television debut during the game. Oppe created a video earning her the sideline special coverage slot during the broadcast. Her interviews included President Peter B. Barr and Pioneer head coach Alan Fiddler.
Randall Reid-Smith, West Virginia Division of Culture and History commissioner and special guest of President Peter and Betsy
Barr, sang the National Anthem.
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