GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - In their first ever Southern Athletic Association matchup the Pirates found themselves in a high-scoring affair against the Hendrix College Warriors. Southwestern had met the Warriors once previously in their first year of competition but fell by a 29-48 margin.
With 982 yards of total offense between both teams, the first quarter was a feeling-out period for the Pirates and the Warriors. Each team would collect a field goal, Southwestern's thanks to Charlie Fournier, and the Warriors added a touchdown in the first bringing the score to 10-3 at the end of the period.
The Warriors exploded onto the field in the second quarter with twenty-seven points and the story for the first half was blown coverages from Southwestern and the Warriors capitalizing on those opportunities. The Pirate offense would try to answer the call and put up two touchdowns in the second thanks to a Damian Gomez one-yard run as well as a swing pass to Same LeBlue from Gomez in the final thirty seconds of the half.
Things were not looking good for Southwestern coming out of the half with a twenty-point, 37-17 deficit. It would look even bleaker when the Warriors immediately extended that lead to 44-17 at the twelve-minute mark.
Southwestern showed signs of life in the second half, answering the opening touchdown with one of their own, and Southwestern would ultimately win the half, outscoring Hendrix 21-14. Two touchdowns in the fourth quarter off an Ethan Mills punt return for a touchdown and a Devan Phillps thirty-four-yard touchdown reception brought the final score to 38-51.
Freshmen Graydon Thompson (5 rec. 68yrds) and Devan Phillips (5 rec. 77yrds) led the Pirates through the air while the freshman quarterback Jaylen Spriggs averaged 6.8 yards a carry and a touchdown. The Pirates averaged 5.2 yards per play on offense with 27 first downs and 83 offensive plays, however, the 27 point second quarter for Hendrix was ultimately the backbreaker for Southwestern and pushed the Pirates to a 0-3 record.
Southwestern Football will be back in Birkelbach Stadium next Saturday, September 23rd at 1:00 PM to take on the 1-2 Birmingham-Southern Panthers.