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Long, South Carolina State prove they belong
They nearly did both. Armanti Edwards threw for four touchdowns and a school record 433 yards to help the Mountaineers escape with a hard-fought 37-21 victory on Saturday. But the Bulldogs succeeded in proving they belonged in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoff. "It was a very disappointing feeling but at the same time we showed that we were capable of playing with (Appalachian State) and the top teams in the Football Championship Subdivision," said Long, the former South Carolina Mr. Football who guided the Gaffney Indians to two state championships. "We proved that we belonged in the playoffs." The MEAC had taken its playoff lumps, losing in the first round in nine straight years. But the Bulldogs showed they wouldn't roll over for the more experienced Mountaineers when Long capped a march with a 15- yard touchdown pass to put his team up 7-0. Appalachian State answered with a touchdown and a field goal before Long responded with another touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs up 14-10. The Mountaineers regained the lead at the half on an Edwards touchdown pass. The Bulldogs hung around until midway through the fourth quarter when Appalachian scored to go up by 10. "It was exciting just to experience the game," Long said. "A lot of people didn't think it would be that close." Long finished with 17 completions for 176 yards. He threw for a pair of touchdowns and was picked off once. The Bulldogs lose 12 seniors, but Long said the team is excited about next season. "This was a good stepping stone for next year," he said. "Our strength and conditioning coach told us after the game that he's not about to make friends in the offseason, but to build champions." As for Long's aspirations, "I still have a lot of work to do as a player." |
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