Two lead to scores; two kill drives
By CHRIS WHITE
cwhite@ledger -enquirer.com
Fort Valley State coach Donald Pittman showed Albany State he had learned a thing or two in his time as offensive coordinator with there.
The Wildcats (7-4, 6-3 SIAC) capitalized on a pair of Albany State (8-2, 7-2) turnovers and then squashed the Rams’ hopes of a rally with two more late in the game, going on to win 35-13 on Saturday in the Fountain City Classic at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium.
It was the first time Pittman had gone head-to-head with Albany State coach and former mentor Mike White. When asked how it felt, Pittman said he was just thankful the opportunity ever arose.
“I don’t think it’s strange,” Pittman said. “I worked hard all these years to become a head coach so it’s a dream come true to be here. Only in America.”
Defense rules day
In a meeting of the SIAC’s two top offenses, it was Pittman’s defense that made the biggest impact.
Fort Valley State’s Dajuan Williams intercepted Albany State quarterback A.J. McKenna three times, including once for a touchdown, and his final two picks ended late fourth-quarter drives for the Rams.
“We came out ready to shut them down,” Williams said. “We knew it was going to be up to us because they can score. All of those turnovers were big just because it kept that offense off the field.”
Each of Williams’ interceptions came in the fourth quarter and helped Fort Valley State possess the ball a dominating 10:34.
Wildcats linebacker Trent Newton provided the pivotal play on another Albany State turnover.
Render scores
Rodriquez Render, a former LaGrange High player, gave Fort Valley State a 21-10 lead with a 7-yard reception with just more than a minute left in the third quarter, and Newton knocked the wind out of the Albany State offense 12 seconds later when he scooped up a fumble at the Rams 20 and carried it in for a touchdown.
“That was a big play for us, and it worked out just like at practice,” Newton said. “We forced the fumble, I scooped it up and I ran it in. That’s a play we work at and it was big for us this week.”
Wildcats throttle McKenna
Albany State quarterback A.J. McKenna was the focus of Fort Valley State’s attacks, finishing 20-for-50 passing with three interceptions but still managing 231 yards through the air. He had little better luck on the ground, where he had a team-high 34 yards rushing.
McKenna declined to comment after the game, but running back Rashawn Robinson said much of the team’s struggles were rooted in its inability to gain much ground running the ball. And with lead rusher Demetri Johnson in and out with cramps, the team suffered even more, finishing with only 59 yards on the ground.
“(Johnson) is a key player on our offense,” Robinson said. “When he goes out, it has a big effect on the game.”
Offenses struggle
Despite having the two highest-scoring offenses in the SIAC, the Rams and Wildcats played to a stalemate though the first quarter.
Albany State kicker Juan Bongarra broke the tie with a 46-yard field goal early in the second quarter. He would add a 34-yarder in the fourth period.
Fort Valley State took the lead on a 41-yard Terrell Walker reception from Nathaniel Samas and Justin Rosenbaum hit the first of his five point-after kicks to put the Wildcats ahead 7-3.
The Rams appeared ready to take a lead into halftime when Octavius Staton hauled in a 41-yard McKenna pass with 1:15 left in the second period, but Brandon Anderson’s 42-yard kickoff return set the Wildcats up at midfield and gave them a chance to retake the advantage.
Samas hit Darius Williams with a 49-yard pass on the first play of the drive to bring the ball to the Rams 1. Samas carried in the score two plays later to give Fort Valley State a 14-10 halftime lead.
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