Ashland, VA – In a primetime setting, the Apprentice Football team traveled to Randolph-Macon College for their first night game of the season.  The Builders were looking to stop a potent Yellow Jackets offense who was averaging 40 points/game, while only giving up 17 points/game.  In addition, they were seeking their first win of the season against an ODAC member in front of the large Apprentice crowd who made the trip to Ashland. 

In the first series of the game, RMC marched down the field, but the Builders' Defense tightened up in the red zone and appeared to stop the Yellow Jackets on a 3^rd and Goal.  However, they were flagged for pass interference and RMC would take advantage of the new set of downs, finding the endzone for the early 7-0 lead.  QB Mason Tatum and the offense would have some opportunities but were unable to come away with any points, but the defense would continue to come up with stops to keep them in the game.  However, the Yellow Jackets eventually established themselves and added to their lead, taking a 28-0 advantage into the half.

The Builders started the second half with the ball, and QB Grant Swanger took control of the offense.  After a pass interference call against RMC, Apprentice found themselves in Yellow Jacket territory.  They would end the drive with RB KeShaun Williams crossing the goal line for the TD, trimming the score to 28-7.  As RMC had done in the first half, they capitalized on some big plays scoring three unanswered touchdowns to take a 49-7 lead.  Despite the large deficit, the Builders continued to press and behind the running of Williams and Amari Thomas, they were able to give themselves an opportunity to get another score.  A 19-yard pass from Swanger to Leland Girdy, gave Apprentice a 1^st and Goal, but a pass to Ricardo Corpus in the corner of the endzone, fell short on 4^th and Goal and as the clock hit zero, the Builders would fall, 49-7.

While it was not the outcome Coach Vince Brown had wanted, he was proud of his team for continuing to play hard against one of the best teams they will face all year, while also in hostile territory.  "This is a building block for us, and we are going to prepare and continue to grow," said Brown.  "We are so thankful to play this game we love so much, and we just need to continue to get healthy and fix a few things".  The long road trip has finally come to an end and Apprentice will, for the first time this season get to play in front of their home crowd, as they welcome Hampden Sydney to Builders Stadium on Saturday October 30^th.  Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00pm and the Builders' Seniors will be honored along with the newly inducted Apprentice Athletics Hall of Fame Class.

For full game statistics visit https://gobuilders.com/sports/fball/2021-22/boxscores/20211023_feaf.xml