Wingate Remains Undefeated With 27-24 Win Over Catawba

SALISBURY – A recovered fumble with a minute left in the game led to 27-yard Freddy McCollum field goal as time expired and Wingate (6-0) continued its unbeaten season with a 27-24 win over Catawba (5-2) on Saturday at Shuford Stadium.

Freddy McCollum kicks the game-winning field goal (Photo credit: Brian Barnes)

Wingate got on the board first with a six-yard touchdown run by Lawrence Pittman (Mallard Creek) on the opening drive of the game. After stopping Catawba on the next drive of the game, a Freddy McCollum 31-yard field goal gave Wingate what seemed like a commanding 10-0 lead in the first quarter, especially after recovering a Catawba fumble near midfield.

A Caleb Allen interception deep in Catawba territory appeared to wake up the Indian sideline and the offense came out pumped and ready to move the chains. Eleven plays, a fake punt, and 88 yards later, Eamon Smart found paydirt from one yard out and it was not a three-point affair early in the second quarter.

The third quarter belonged to the home team as Catawba opened the third quarter with a 65-yard drive that ended with a 22-yard Lee Brackman field goal and closed with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Patrick O'Brien (Mooresville) to Sam Mobley (Parkwood).

Wingate seemed to own the fourth quarter, however, as JT Stokes and Blake Hays scored on the ground with against a Catawba defense that was having trouble stopping the run late in the game. But, Catawba was not to be denied and when O'Brien found Kenyatta Greene with less than three minutes left in the game, the junior running back made three defenders miss on his 48-yard run to the end zone to tie the game at 24. Catawba had a chance to win the game, but a lost fumble gave the ball back to Wingate and the Bulldog offense got in field goal range for the winning score.

Notable North Carolinians

Patrick O'Brien: Went 25 for 33 with 356 yards and two scores; former Mooresville and UNC-Pembroke standout

Sam Mobley: Former Parkwood star had a touchdown grab in the third quarter that put the Catawba Indians ahead for a while late in the game; finished with five receptions for 96 yards

Jourdan Osinskie: Junior tight end from Southern Alamance led the Indians with six receptions for 76 yards

Lawrence Pittman: ran for 155 yards and a score, had big fourth down conversion in the final quarter to extend a Wingate drive; seeing same success as when he was in the backfield for Mallard Creek

Next Week

Both teams are on the road in South Atlantic Conference action as Catawba travels to Tusculum (4-3) while Wingate will take on Mars Hill (2-5).