In the classic 1970s “Schoolhouse Rock” educational cartoon series on ABC Television, the number nine was the “naughty” number.
But for Concord's football team, in the wake of Saturday's visit to Glenville State, nine has become “heartbreaking.” Or “disappointing.” Or “excruciating.” Or “agonizing.”
The Mountain Lions lost their ninth consecutive game to Glenville State in almost unbearable fashion, letting slip a 27-0 late in the third-quarter in a 28-27 defeat at Morris Stadium.
The Pioneers scored 21 points in the final 7:30 of the 4th quarter to stun Concord, dropping the Mountain Lions to 4-3 overall, 2-3 in the WVIAC.
Concord was the clearly superior team through nearly the first three quarters, and after freshman kicker Brandon Strupp booted a 27-yard field goal with 5:45 left, the Mountain Lions took what appeared to be an insurmountable 27-0 lead.
Glenville State got on to the scoreboard on the next play. Xavier Glenn took Alex Wilson's kickoff, burst past Concord's initial wave of defenders, and sprinted 90 yards for a touchdown to pull the Pioneers within 27-7.
It was the second straight game in which Concord allowed a special teams touchdown. Shepherd's Deante Steele returned a punt 85 yards for a score late in the first half October 3 at Callaghan Stadium in what proved to be a crucial play. Concord nearly overcame a 24-3 halftime deficit but Rams held on for a 34-31 win.
Still, after Glenn's touchdown, the Mountain Lions maintained their 20-point lead and looked to add to it midway through the fourth quarter. Concord drove 58 yards in eight plays to set up what appeared to be a chip-shot 20-yard field goal by Strupp.
Strupp missed it wide right. With the benefit of hindsight, it was the turning point of the game.
Two plays later, Glenville State QB James McCants connected with Glenn for an 80-yard touchdown pass that pulled the Pioneers within 27-14 with 7:30 left.
Concord's next possession lasted five plays and 1:47, ending with a Brad Cox punt to the GSC 41.
The Pioneers moved to the Concord 19 where they faced a 4th down and seven. In another huge play, McCants threw to James McDonald for a touchdown, and Glenville State got within 27-21 with 3:15 left.
Needing a first down to put the game out of reach, Concord mustered just three yards on three running plays, and Cox was called upon to punt again. Under pressure, the freshman got away a 35-yard kick that Glenn fair-caught at the Glenville State 40.
McCants threw back-to-back incompletions, but ran for 12 yards on 3rd & 10 to give GSC a first down at the Concord 48. He followed that with a 10-yard pass to DeAndre Johnson for a first down at the 38. Two plays later, McCants threw to Wes Hanson for an eight-yard gain to the 30, and Concord compounded its woes with a 15-yard personal foul penalty that advanced the ball to the 15.
With a new set of downs, McCants rushed for seven yards to the eight. Antwan Stewart dropped a pass in the end zone on second down. Concord DB Justin McKissick deflected a third down pass intended for Johnson in the end zone.
On 4th down, as he did on the previous series, McCants looked for the score, and lobbed a pass over the Concord defense into the arms of Glenn in the corner of the end zone with: 09 left – and Glenville State completed its improbable comeback.
McCants ended the day with three touchdown passes – after getting only two in his first six games of the season.
Concord hasn't defeated Glenville State since a 34-10 victory in Athens on October 14, 2000.
The Mountain Lions' stunning collapse took much of the glitter off some outstanding individual performances.
Sophomore RB Brian Kennedy – the reigning WVIAC Offensive Player of the Week – posted career highs with 41 rushes for 220 yards, and scored two touchdowns.
Kennedy's good friend – September 5 WVIAC Offensive POTW and All-American WR candidate Thomas Mayo – caught six passes for 200 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown.
Concord QB Stephen Hearons went 14-28 for 281 yards, the touchdown pass to Mayo, and one interception.
The day started well for Concord, which opened an early 14-0 lead in the 1st quarter.
After Concord was stopped on 4th & Goal at the GSC 1, a McCants fumble (recovered by Duke Adu) gave the ball back to CU at the Pioneer 2. Kennedy rushed for a touchdown on the next play to put Concord ahead 7-0 with 5:23 remaining in the 1st quarter.
The Mountain Lions defense forced Glenville State into a three-and-out on their next possession, setting the stage for Mayo's 67-yard touchdown catch from Hearons and a 14-0 lead with 1:08 to go.
Concord pushed the lead to 21-0 on a one-yard Kennedy run early in the second quarter. The Mountain Lions took a 24-0 into the locker room after Strupp's 24-yard field goal at the halftime gun.
For the game, Concord outgained Glenville State in total yards, 572-319. Concord outrushed GSC 291-106. Hearons' 281 passing yards were 68 better than GSC's QB duo of McCants and Darold Hughes.
But after in the final 20:45 of the game, after Strupp's last field goal, Glenville State posted much better numbers than Concord. The Pioneers picked up 12 first downs to Concord's four. They rushed 13 times for 101 yards, while Concord ran the ball 18 times and lost 21 yards. GSC passed for 132 yards, Concord 36.
Added up, over that fateful 20:45, Glenville State piled up 233 yards on 31 offensive plays. Concord run 26 plays, and gained 15 yards.
Concord will try to snap its nine-game losing streak to Glenville State when the Pioneers visit Callaghan Stadium on October 9, 2010 – for the Mountain Lions' Homecoming.
In the shorter term, Concord will begin preparations for this year's Homecoming game next Saturday. The Mountain Lions host Seton Hill in a 4:00 pm EDT kickoff at Callaghan Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Classic Rock 102 The River (WMTD 102.3 FM) and webcast at theriver102.com, starting with the “Mountain Lion Preview Show” at 3:30 pm.
