Lexington, VA – After their 2^nd Home Opener was canceled, the Apprentice Football Team headed west on I-64 and then south on I-81 for a Saturday, 1:00pm kickoff against Washington & Lee University.  This would be the first time they faced an option offense this season and they knew it could present some problems.  However, Apprentice knew that if it could get off to a fast start, they may be able to neutralize one of Division III's most productive offenses. 

The game did not start off the way Apprentice had drawn it up, as the Generals took the opening kickoff for a 96-yard TD, giving them the quick lead, 7-0.  Freshman, Grant Swanger would get his first collegiate start of his career and put together a drive that saw the Builders move the ball down the field.  However, the drive would stall, when W&L stopped Apprentice on a 4^th and 1.  On the General's first offensive possession, the Apprentice defense would do what they have done all season and create a turnover when Denzel Porter forced a fumble that was recovered by Chandler Perry.  Swanger, again, was able to move the ball with the offense and their second drive ended with a 39-yard FG from Jeremiah Morgan, to cut the lead to 7-3.  On the next possession, the Builders' defense stepped up and stopped W&L on a 4^th down to give the ball back to the offense.  Unfortunately, Apprentice was unable to put any points on the board when Jeremiah Morgan missed, what would have been a school record, 51-yard FG. 

While the Generals started the second quarter with a drive, it ended with a missed FG, which allowed the Builders to gain momentum.  They would capitalize on that momentum, as Keshaun Williams found the endzone on a 4-yard run, to give Apprentice their first lead of the game, 10-7.  Unfortunately, W&L had an answer and would re-take the lead 14-10.  However, the Builders continued to get offensive opportunities and the defense was able to keep the Generals at bay, to end the first half only down 4 points, 14-10.

Apprentice started the third quarter with the ball and successfully picked up three first downs to get into W&L territory.  However, after looking like they were going for it on a 4^th and 10, Grant Swanger pooch kicked the ball, giving the Generals their first offensive opportunity of the second half.  The Builders defense held strong, though, forcing an intentional grounding call on W&L on a 3^rd down, giving the offense another chance to put points on the board.  On a 3^rd and 1, Gabe Tejada kept the drive alive by running for the 1^st down.  Unfortunately, W&L forced a fumble and ran the ball in for a TD, increasing their lead to 21-10.  After a long kickoff return, the Apprentice offensive would start their next drive at the Generals' 37-yard line.  That drive would stall and at the end of the quarter, W&L held the advantage 21-10. 

The fourth quarter began with a big play, as Grant Swanger found Leland Girdy for a 57-yard pass completion to put the Builders in the red zone.  While Apprentice was unable to punch it in the endzone, Jeremiah Morgan would connect on a 28-yard FG, to make it a one score game, 21-13.  On the next series, the Generals marched down the field and added a rushing TD, once again, making it a two-score game, 28-13.  On W&L's next possession, they would score another rushing TD, increasing their lead to 34-13 and then proceed to add another score to go ahead 42-13.  As the horn sounded to end the game, the Builders would fall by that same score, 42-13. 

Despite the loss, Apprentice finished with 270 yards in total offense, with 206 of those yards coming from the air.  In his first ever collegiate start, Grant Swanger was 18-33 for 216 yards, with a long of 57 yards.  Leland Girdy hauled in 4 catches for 102 yards, while Gabe Tejada rushed 17 times for 44 yards.  On defense, Paul Massey, Jr. and Denzel Porter led the Builders with 8 tackles each, while kicker Jeremiah Morgan was 2-3 for FG's with a long of 39-yards.  Apprentice will return to action next Saturday as they travel to Bridgewater for a 1:00pm kickoff.  Stay tuned to www.gobuilders.com and Builders social media for game info and Coach's Corner with Head Coach Vince Brown.

For complete game stats please visit https://generalssports.com/sidearmstats/football/summary