Williamsburg, KY – With under two minutes to go, Jamar Roberts secured the Patriots victory with the interception in the endzone. Cumberlands was able to ride out the clock to down Pikeville (RV) 31-28 and defend their home turf.
 
In the game, sponsored by Lexington Clinic, the Patriots were held scoreless in the second quarter and down by a score into the third. A fourth-quarter boom offensively helped the home team take back the lead while defensively Cumberlands blanked the Bears.
 
Appalachian Wireless is proud to be a dedicated partner of Patriots Athletics and the Cumberlands Football program. They are Eastern Kentucky's leading provider of high-quality telecommunications products and services since 1991. Appalachian Wireless is supports local communities and committed to excellence throughout their service areas.
 
By the Numbers
Cumberlands had a balanced offensive approach in the first half, but made the necessary adjustments in the second, keying in on big running plays to move the ball up field. Martize Smith grinded down the Bears with his speed, touch after touch picking up much-needed yardage. The second-year back closed the day with 203 yards on the ground and a pair of scores. It was the third-straight game he has seen over 100 yards rushing, second over the same stretch with over 200 yards.
 
Nathan Arnold, starting at quarterback, got the job done when called on for the Patriots passing game. While only 16 plays went through the air, Arnold was only off target five times through the afternoon. Twice his passes led to trips into the endzone, both finding Darius Young, his sixth and seventh touchdowns of the season.
 
While Young led the receiving corps with five targets, both Alonzo Russell and Chase Overstreet saw four targets apiece. In only three receptions, Russell marched past the Bears with 91 receiving yards, a new career high. Overstreet got the most looks his way as he has had all season, one of his three catches putting up two on the board for the converted PAT.
 
Roberts was a big reason for the Patriots victory in Williamsburg, tallying two interceptions on the day for 22 yards. In addition to the grab in the final minutes, he started his day with a pick three plays into Pikeville's first drive, leading to the Patriots first touchdown. He also tallied six tackles on the afternoon, three solo.
 
While called on more than preferred, Harlin Brown punted effectively against Pikeville, especially during the second half. Three times he was able to pin the Bears inside the 20, including twice at the one-yard line with the help of Zane McKendree. The first time led to a safety in favor of Cumberlands, tripping up the runner in the endzone.
 
How it Happened
Cumberlands scored first after the interception by Roberts just over a minute into the game. Smith moves the ball up the field 23 yards in three plays before Arnold cashed in the score with a toss to an open Young.
 
Pikeville matched with a score of their own on a pitch out. Russell was on the receiving end of a 40-yard pass to move the Pats into the redzone and inside the 10-yard line. With power, Smith smashed his way across the goal line to put another six on the board.
 
The Bears again responded with another touchdown on the ground late in the first. They hold Cumberlands to a three-and-out, getting the go-ahead score in two plays after. Cumberlands crossed midfield on their drive with four rush plays for 25 yards. Young had a chance to tie the game again but dropped his look in the endzone. The visiting team took the 21-14 advantage into halftime.
 
The Patriots were able to cross the 50-yard line with opening second half possession, but small yardage was not sustainable on rushes by Smith and a tight end pass to Overstreet. Brown punted to pin the Bears at the one-yard line. A play later, the Patriots pushed the offensive line into the would-be runner, forcing a trip up in the endzone and an easy two points.
 
Cumberlands was unable to take advantage of the getting back possession after the safety. Smith carried the ball 35 yards in five straight attempts, two for double-digit yards. Brown again booted a great punt to the one-yard line, but the defense allowed Pikeville to score on the 99-yard drive.
 
Behind 28-16, their largest deficit of the afternoon, Cumberlands locked in for a late-game surge. With less than two to go in the third, Arnold found Russell on a 17-yard pass to cross midfield, going back to the air two plays later to Overstreet and gaining another 12 yards. In the first play of the final quarter, Arnold connected with Young in the endzone for the second time of the game. Tripp Holloway converted his fourth PAT.
 
Oluwatobi (Tobi) Adewale came up big as the opposing Bears threatened soon after crossing into Patriots territory. He recorded his first career interception to give Cumberlands back the ball. As a result, the Patriots put more points on the board after steady pace up field. Brandon Stucky noted a 15-yard reception to open the drive, Smith capping it off with a 45-yard hustle in open field for the go-ahead score. To make it a field-goal differential, Arnold rolled to his right and found Overstreet short into the endzone for the two-point conversion.
 
The "Dirty Blues" shut down the opposition with a three-and-out on the following drive. Smith saw open field again on the second play of the drive with eight minutes on the clock, but fumbles the ball with a slip. Patriots retain possession and moves the ball another 24 yards up field before Cumberlands turns over the ball on downs deep in Pikeville territory.
 
In a last-chance effort, Pikeville set up shop at their 13 -yard line and moved across midfield within three minutes of action. The Bears attempted a 40-yard look to the endzone on first down but Roberts was there to make the snag, ending any threat against his team. Cumberlands held on to complete the comeback, 31-28.
 
Up Next
Next week will be the spring finale for the Patriots. They will host the Saints of Thomas More in Williamsburg on Friday, April 9. Kickoff is slated for 6 PM at James H. Taylor, II Stadium.
 
Following the contest, Patriots football will get right back to work with the traditional fall season only a few months away.
 
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