Raiders Knock Off Wesleyan

Wesleyan could not capture the magic that made them state champions two seasons ago, as they fell 28-13 to Savannah Christian in the class A state semifinal. Quarterback Andrew Frerking ran the offense almost exclusively from the shotgun and completed 17 of 35 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown.

The Wolves (12-2) trailed 21-13 with the ball and a chance to tie the game with a final drive. However, Frerking’s fourth down pass was intercepted by Savannah Christian’s Taylor Ivey and returned for a touchdown to put the game away.

For the second year in a row, the Raiders (13-1) will be playing for the state championship in the Georgia Dome. “Anything’s possible when you’ve got a group of guys that believe like these guys believe,” said SCP coach Donald Chumley. “I’m really proud of these guys, I’m proud of my coaching staff. What can you say, I’m very excited.”

Wesleyan had an early 6-0 lead, but that’s when the momentum of the game changed in one play. Junior running back Nardo Govan sprinted down the sidelines for an 88-yard touchdown run that gave momentum to the Raiders and seemed to demoralize the Wolves. “The game is not done on just one touchdown, the game is four quarters,” said Govan. The Raiders defense controlled the game the rest of the way. Despite allowing a fourth quarter touchdown that made it a one score game, the defensive line was able to contain the Wolves’ passing game for the majority of the contest.

The home loss came as quite a shock to Wesleyan coach Franklin Pridgen. “This is not the way we wanted to go out,” said Pridgen. “I hadn’t planned this, but you have nothing to hang your heads about.” The Wolves had one of the best seasons in school history by going 13-1 and they will be back.