Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
Dominating from the opening kick on Saturday afternoon, the defense of the Guilford College football team overwhelmed, setting the tone early and often in the 23rd annual Soup Bowl, forcing a quintet of turnovers, and holding Greensboro College off the scoreboard to keep the trophy firmly in Quaker hands for the eighth-consecutive year with a 14-0 victory at Pride Field.
The Quakers improve to 1-0 on the field, and 2-0 on the week. Guilford is now 16-8 all-time against their crosstown rivals.
The Quakers committed to a ground attack in this matchup, with Josh Campbell (Reidsville, N.C.), Evan Sullivan (McBee, S.C.), and Malik Woodard (Wilson, N.C.) all accumulating double-digit carries, helping accumulate 198 net rushing yards as a unit. Campbell led that group with 73 yards on the day on just ten carries, punching in a crucial late score. Woodard served as the primary back, drawing 20 totes for 72 yards, adding one catch for 17 yards for the guests’ lone receiving score. He was the game-leader in total yardage with 89. Sullivan had 11 carries for 46 yards.
Jaelan Brown (Burlington, N.C.) was efficient under center for Guilford, finishing 10-of-15 passing for 86 yards and a touchdown, while not turning the ball over. He linked up with six separate receivers with JuJu Rice (Raleigh, N.C.) finishing as the most common and productive of the bunch with three catches for 40 yards.
The story of the game was the defense for Guilford, as they flew around the field to stifle the Greensboro offense and hold the hosts to just 3.8 yards per play. Eli Davis (Pikeville, N.C.) led this unit accumulating a career-high eight total tackles. Transfer, and former member of the Pride in 2021 and 2022, Malik Hargrove (Warren County, N.C.) had six total tackles including five solo, with one tackle for a loss and one sack. Avery Garner (Denton, N.C.) had 1.5 sacks among his 2.5 tackles for a loss while Bo Thompson (Fairview, N.C.) and Tristan Bailey (Statesville, N.C.) each came away with an interception and Jaylan Richardson (Summerville, N.C.) picked off two Greensboro passes. Guilford’s defense also forced a fumble.
De’yon Cannon got the start at QB for Greensboro, but three interceptions on the first four drives ended his afternoon early finishing 2-for-6 for 57 yards. Jayden Morrison saw a majority of the time under center but only went 5-of-15 for 65 yards, throwing a pick himself.
Christian Burgess accumulated 67 yards on the ground across 13 carries, but he was the only running back for the hosts to gain any traction as the Pride as a team only averaged 2.3 yards per rush.
Shamar Privette led all players in receiving yardage, hauling in three catches for 87 yards with a long of 43. He was one of just four players to haul in a reception for the Pride on the day, with Mandre Ogletree and Christian Burgess catching two each, and Matthew Kidd being on the receiving end of one.
Max Steele led all players with 11 total tackles, including ten solo efforts, adding a pass breakup. JaJuan Givens had nine tackles with one being for a loss. Deshawn Holman was the only Greensboro player to have a full sack on the day.
The Pride did give themselves a chance to put points on the board right before the half as a couple of 20-plus yard rushes by Burgess got them into Guilford territory, albeit as the half expired. However, a late hit out of bounds granted them 15 yards, and an untimed play, but Thomas Chapman missed the kick from about 32 yards out.
The Quakers football team comes home next to clash with Methodist under the Appenzeller Field lights on Saturday, Sept. 14th. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
