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3afan
12-04-2004, 08:23 PM
WASHINGTON, Pa.—Mary Hardin-Baylor (Belton, TX) led 14-0 after its first offensive snap and didn't let up all afternoon as the Crusaders crushed Washington and Jefferson 52-16.

The Crusaders (12-1) got a 57-yard punt return for a touchdown from P.J. Williams less than three and a half minutes into the game, then took over at the President 11 after a botched punt attempt and scored on a Justin Bryson TD run on the very next play.

It was a fitting beginning to a day in which Washington and Jefferson (12-1) had no solution to the UMHB ground game, as the Crusaders reeled off 5.3 yards per carry before the final kneel-downs.

Washington and Jefferson was able to move the ball early, but fumbled on its first trip inside Mary Hardin-Baylor territory, was forced to punt on the second and had a field goal blocked on the third.

"It was early on, we thought we just had to make some adjustments and get it in the end zone," said W&J junior quarterback Chris Edwards, who was 27-for-53 passing for 310 yards and two touchdowns, but threw two interceptions and was sacked five times.

UMHB got a 50-yard field goal from Zach Newcomb, a season-long, to extend the lead to 17-0 and backup running back Freddie Rollins added a 5-yard run to make it 24-0.

"We knew what they've done the last two weeks," said Mary Hardin-Baylor coach Pete Fredenburg. "They were down at the half against Christopher Newport and had that two-overtime game with (Bridgewater). We were scared until the last tick of (Jacob Shields) making those type of circus catches he can make."

The Presidents got on the board with a 24-yard Kyle Sidebotham field goal and survived a 27-yard field goal attempt on the last play of the half to trail just 24-3 at the half. W&J also forced a three-and-out on the first drive of the second half, but never got back into the game.

Bryson finished with 100 yards on 21 carries, his 13th consecutive 100-yard game, while Chad Starnes added 77 yards on eight carries and Rollins 73 yards on nine rushes. Starnes had a 37-yard touchdown, his longest run of the season, to open the scoring in the third quarter.

Jon Miller had a game-high eight catches for the Presidents and a team-high 101 yards, including the final score of the game.

Josh Kubiak led UMHB with eight tackles (seven solo) and a pass breakup, while Kelvin Kirby added six tackles (three solo) and Bret Page six tackles (two solo). Andy Shook had 13 tackles for W&J (six solo) along with an interception, while Eric Field added 12 tackles (six solo).

Mary Hardin-Baylor advances to play at No. 1 Mount Union (12-0) next week in the national semifinals.

Pudlugger
12-04-2004, 10:08 PM
UMHB is on a roll. They have played three of the top 10 teams to get here. First they knocked off 7th ranked Trinity:( then they beat 2nd ranked Hardin-Simmons who earlier in the season gave the Crusaders their only loss to win the conference title. Now they beat 6th ranked Washington and Jefferson. Next week's game should determine the eventual National Champion as Mount Union ranked 1st is a heavy favorite. They have won it 5 out of the past 6 years I believe. Anyway, it is good to see a Texas school do this well even if it isn't my Trinity Tigers. Go Crusaders!