Fort falls victim to late comeback

GREENVILLE 28, FORT DORCHESTER 21

Greenville scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to hand Fort Dorchester a 28-21 loss on Saturday night.

The Patriots' opener began in typical Fort Dorchester fashion, with the Patriots' defense setting up a score the first time it took the field. However, things soon turned bad for the Fort as quarterback and offensive leader Galen Bennett left the game with a shoulder injury on the Patriots' third possession and never returned.

In his absence, Greenville QB Matthew Roberts and running back D.J. Jules took the spotlight. Roberts was 15-of-23 passing for 79 yards and two touchdowns, while Jules carried 29 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

"What leaders they are," Greenville coach Jim Sosebee said. "They are my senior combo in the backfield."

The Patriots entered the final period up 21-7 on two Michael Sellers rushing touchdowns and a fumble returned for a score by Dante Ravenel. However, Greenville came charging back, and some Fort fumbles and penalties were costly.

The first big break for the Raiders came on a punt return that was fumbled. The Raiders recovered the ball at the Fort 47 and moved the ball downfield, largely on a 17-yard run by Jules and a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty. Then Jules capped the drive with a 16-yard run into the end zone.

On the Fort's ensuing possession, the Patriots faced a fourth-and-2 at their own 40 and didn't punt or convert. The Raiders took over on downs.

On a fourth-and-goal from the 4, Roberts rolled left looking to pass but no one was open. He ran back across the field with linebacker Geno Porter hot on his trail and drilled a TD pass to receiver Chris Hall.

Another Patriot fumble led to the final score. Patrick McElveen recovered the ball for the Raiders at the 48. In the final five minutes, Greenville marched down the field to score on a 1-yard run by Jules.

"We just gave the game away," Fort coach Steve LaPrad said. "The injuries hurt us, but they did the job and we didn't."

FD - Micheal Sellers 1 run (Josh Hall kick)

FD - Dante Ravenel 26 fumble recovery/return (snap fumbled)

G - Chris Hall 14 pass from Matthew Roberts (Will Senn kick)

FD - Sellers 24 run (Sellers 2-point conversion)

G - D.J. Jules 16 run (Senn Kick)

G - Hall 4 pass from Roberts (Senn kick)

G - Jules 1 run (Senn kick)