MHU felled on road versus Catawba
SALISBURY, N.C. - The Mars Hill football team (3-2, 2-1 SAC) was defeated by Catawba (5-1, 3-1 SAC) by a score of 42-28 Saturday night on the road.
Catawba opened the scoring 4:17 into the game off of a Bennet Galloway one-yard run. Just over a minute later, the Lions tied the contest as Edward Louis Jr. reined in a 62-yard strike from JR Martin.
With 5:08 to play in the first quarter, Kevin Lalin was on the receiving end of a 13-yard pass from Preston Brown, putting Catawba up 14-7 heading into the second.
Mars Hill would mirror Catawba's first quarter performance, outscoring them 14-7 to head into the half tied at 21-all. After Catawba went up by two scores, David Hargro, with less than four minutes left to play in the half, caught a three-yard pass from Martin to cut the deficit down to seven.
The Lions tied the game with just 47 seconds left to play in the half as Charlie Guinade pulled down a 31-yard pass from Martin.
Catawba's defense took over in the second half, holding Mars Hill to just seven fourth-quarter points, while scoring another 21 to secure the win.
Mars Hill last score of the game came 3:51 into the final frame as Martin scampered eight yards to pull within seven, 35-28.
Martin went 25-of-40 for 307 yards and three touchdowns. Jon Gullette added 58 yards on the ground. Louis Jr. led all players with 90 receiving yards while Guinade led all players with seven receptions for 83 yards.
Sakarri Morrison and Nissi Mikulu led Mars Hill with eight tackles apiece (five solo, three assists) while the quartet of Isaac Weaver, Steven Reid, Omari Sanders-Richardson, and Caden Hilemon added seven apiece. Hilemon picked off his first career interception while Keenan Pierce recorded the Lions' lone sack.
The Lions return to the field on Saturday, October 11 when they host Emory & Henry for Homecoming. Kickoff inside the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium is set for 2:30 p.m.
