Hornets handed first loss of the season
Athens gets upended by Chapel Hill, 37-25
By Michael V. Hannigan
Nathan Sims racked up more than 300 yards from scrimmage for the Hornets Friday night, but it wasn't enough as Athens lost its first game of the season, 37-25, to Chapel Hill.
The loss drops the Hornets' record to 4-1, 0-1 while Chapel Hill improved to 4-1, 1-0.
Sims notched big plays both rushing and receiving, getting carries of 40, 41, and 41 yards plus catching a screen pass for an 87-yard touchdown.
Sims wound up with 211 yards rushing and two touchdowns and 96 yards receiving and a touchdown for the night.
The trouble was that Chapel Hill had its own star making big plays: quarterback Cameron Ford.
Ford rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns, plus threw for 87 yards.
In the end, a turnover helped give Chapel Hill the edge. In the second quarter, the Bulldogs kicked a 36-yard field goal and then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. Chapel Hill then went 41 yards in six plays for a touchdown. That 10-point swing saw Athens go from leading 12-7 to trailing 17-12.
The Hornets trailed 24-12 at the half.
Athens got on the board first, scoring on a 6-yard run by Ty Arroyo in the first quarter.
Jecorey Roberts made a diving interception in the first quarter, stopping a Chapel Hill drive into Athens territory.
Athens will be on the road next week to take on Henderson. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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