Football Drops Tight Defensive Battle at Home to Pioneers

FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Football team fell to the Glenville Pioneers at home on Saturday afternoon by a score of 13-10.

Prior to the game, Frostburg recognized several senior players who are playing out their final years in a Bobcat uniform. 

To start the game, FSU won the toss and deferred, as GSU received the opening kick. After no true gains, GSU was forced to punt the ball, to which the Bobcats were also forced to do on their opening possession. After many defensive stops by Frostburg, GSU was once again forced to punt the ball. This time, FSU was able to capitalize, as on a second and nine on Glenville's 46-yard line, senior Evan Branch rushed up the middle for a 46-yard gain to score a touchdown for the Bobcats. Senior Dayne Koontz hit the extra point, making the score 7-0 with a few minutes remaining in the first.

Glenville fired back as soon as the clock started in the second half, needing a mere forty-five seconds to score a touchdown, but missed the extra point, making it 7-6 with 14:13 remaining in the second quarter. Both teams traded possessions, with the Pioneers muffing a punt before their defense came up with a third down interception. Each side was forced to punt twice, then another Glenville pick gave them great field possession with less than three minutes left in the half. Getting within field goal range, GSU looked to take some points into halftime, but were thwarted by a huge interception by junior Colby Street kept the midway score at 7-6.

Frostburg was set up to receive the kickoff to start the third quarter, and for the third time on the afternoon, saw a pass intercepted by GSU on their 32-yard line. Senior Mike Morgan was a force on defense as he helped with two tackles on three plays, forcing the Pioneers to turn the ball over on downs. GSU responded by forcing another Bobcat punt. With just under ten minutes to go in the quarter, Glenville got the ball down to Frostburg's 31-yard line, as on fourth and seven, the Pioneers attempted a field goal kick to take the lead, but saw it blocked by sophomore Yasir Holmes. Time wound down and the score to end the third remained the same, FSU up 7-6.

Graham Walker started the last fifteen minutes running the ball for a 9-yard gain. The trio of sophomore Sean Aaron, redshirt freshman Owen Doyle, and Branch were able to gain 22-yards combined achieving first down after first down. This led to FSU being in scoring range as Koontz was up to attempt a field goal, knocking it through to make the score 10-6 with six minutes left in the game.

GSU received the ball on their 26-yard line and were helped down the field on a facemask against the Bobcat defense. The Pioneers used passes of 20 and 11 yards to get into the red zone, eventually running it in from seven yards out to take their first lead at 13-10 with only three minutes remaining in the game. Frostburg was set to receive the kick off and caught it on their own 30-yard line. Aaron rushed for two then two of Walker's passes were incomplete. On fourth down FSU went for another pass play but got intercepted by GSU's defense. Using all three timeouts, Frostburg was able to force a punt and get the ball back in the final two minutes. Walker regularly found sophomore Jeremiah Gibson down the field, getting all the way to Glenville's 25 with 12 seconds left. Lining up to tie the game, Koontz pulled his kick wide right, giving the Pioneers the 13-10 victory.

With the loss the Bobcats fall to 6-3 on the year while the Pioneers move to 5-4. Frostburg is back on the road for their last game of the season as they travel to Fairmont, WV to play Fairmont State on Saturday November 11 for a 12pm start time. For more information visit frostburgsports.com.