Hornets fall in disappointing fashion

Published 12:17 am Sunday, November 9, 2008

Concordia’s quest for the program’s second winning season was upended in a 31-30 loss at Texas College on Saturday.

The Hornets (5-6) roared out to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter, but couldn’t put the Steers away as Texas College kicker Chris Walls hit a 37-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to put the Steers (1-8) on top.

Concordia got one more opportunity as the Hornets drove to the Steers’ 30 with 10 seconds left in the game. But a 47-yard effort by Concordia kicker John Halman sailed wide right.

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The loss was a tough pill to swallow for Concordia’s seniors — most that came to the school as its football program began in 2005.

“I wanted them to go out with the win,” said Concordia coach Shepherd Skanes. “We’ve got to get some stuff situated around here, but we’re going to be all right.”

Concordia got on the board first as Ken Johnson hit Halman and Jevon Grant on touchdown passes of 15 and 29 yards. A 28-yard A.J. Ward touchdown run extended the lead to 20-0.

The Steers scored two second quarter touchdowns to cut the deficit to 20-14 at halftime.

The Hornets recovered their sting in the third quarter, scoring on a 47-yard Halman field goal set up by a Miguel Terrell interception.

Cortez Stubbs got an interception on the Steers’ ensuing possession, and the Hornets cashed in on the opportunity on a 30-yard Johnson-to-Jami Baraka touchdown pass to extend the lead to 30-14.

But Texas College responded with 17 unanswered points before Halman’s attempt sailed wide to end the game.

“We had the game won. We should’ve won the game,” said Skanes. “No excuse for us to come back home 5-6. We should’ve won the game.”