Reinhardt Rallies Past Pikeville 35-24 Behind Sanford’s Defensive Plays
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REI | 7 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| PIK | 3 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
WALESKA, Ga. - Reinhardt University (6-4) scored the final 14 points to defeat Pikeville (8-2) 35-24 on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Hambley Ath. Complex in Pikeville, Ky., with Nathaniel Sanford’s fumble recovery setting up the go-ahead touchdown. The Eagles rushed for 300 yards.
Cooper Negron stopped Jayden Pepper short on fourth-and-3 in the first quarter, giving Reinhardt possession at its own 41. Harlem Diamond’s 46-yard run helped set up Armar Gordon’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Walker with 3:05 remaining. Isaac Smith kicked a 27-yard field goal at the end of the quarter to cut the Eagles’ lead to 7-3.
Gordon connected with Ty Jones for an 82-yard touchdown and a 14-3 advantage with 9:06 left in the second quarter. Pikeville answered with Alex Hatton’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Ty Perkins before Gordon’s 49-yard run helped set up Diamond’s 2-yard scoring run for a 21-10 lead. Amon Williams broke loose for 41 yards on Pikeville’s next scoring drive, which Pepper finished with a 5-yard touchdown run to make it 21-17 at halftime.
Williams put the hosts ahead 24-21 with a 15-yard touchdown run at 12:51 of the third quarter. Sanford recovered Hatton’s fumble at the Pikeville 7 with 8:35 remaining, and Gordon scored on a 4-yard run two plays later. The extra point gave Reinhardt a 28-24 lead with 7:52 left.
Kish Wright protected that advantage by intercepting Hatton at the goal line and returning the ball 20 yards with 11:45 remaining in the fourth quarter. Pikeville had gained the short field by recovering a fumble at the Reinhardt 28. Later, Sanford tackled Jonathan Besharatpour for a 19-yard loss on fourth down, giving the Eagles possession at the Pikeville 5. Diamond scored on the next play with 7:02 remaining, and Alex Hanson added the last of five successful extra points.
Gordon rushed for 122 yards and completed 6-of-10 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Diamond added 104 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, while Jayden Ponder gained 75 rushing yards. Reinhardt finished with 414 yards of offense and held possession for 35:02. Williams led Pikeville with 113 rushing yards.
Sanford led the Eagles with 11 tackles, including two for loss. Negron finished with 10 tackles, and Kabreon Aldridge contributed eight tackles and two pass breakups. Reinhardt limited Pikeville to 311 total yards and stopped all three fourth-down attempts, the last on an incomplete pass with 42 seconds remaining.
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