WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - Concord scored 21 fourth quarter points to pull away from West Liberty and win the game 45-28 this afternoon at West Family Stadium.

After falling behind 14-0 in the opening quarter, the Hilltoppers put up 21 straight points to take the lead with just under three minutes left in the first half. Concord answered back with a 10-play, 83-yard drive to tie things up at the half.

The Mountain Lions added on a field goal in the third quarter and three more touchdowns in the fourth frame to take control of the contest, 45-21.

Rudy Garcia connected with Titus Goldson for a 23-yard touchdown to end the 31 consecutive Concord points, but with two minutes to play it was too little too late.

Concord scored on each of its first two drives for the early lead off a pair of passing touchdowns. West Liberty seemingly turned the tide in the second quarter with three touchdowns and three fumbles on consecutive Mountain Lion possessions, but they could not carry the momentum into the second half.

Zach Dixon started the action with a rock of the Mountain Lion running back and Sam Cirksena dove on the loose ball to set the Hilltoppers up near midfield at the 11:05 mark in the second. The first play out, Quincy Wimbish Jr. broke loose for 52 yards to put WLU on the board for the first time. 

The second play after the score, Cam Rice got to the quarterback knocking the ball out as David Gilcreast recovered it to quickly put West Liberty right back near the red zone. Wimbish was at it again with three straight handoffs to punch it in and tie the game.

Dixon was at it again with the hit and Wilson picked up the fumble on the first play after the TD. The Hilltoppers were not able to convert off the third fumble, but after forcing a three and out they got the ball back and charged down the field to take what would be their only lead of the game. Wimbish started the offensive drive with a 72-yard run to put WLU inside the five yard-line. Parker Sherry came in for a quarterback keeper into the endzone two plays later.

The Hilltopper offense was kept quiet in the third quarter with two punts, then a fumble to start the fourth quarter took the wind out of the sail, as Concord turned it into six points with a scoop and score. The touchdown stretched the Mountain Lion lead from 10 to 17 in a matter of seconds.

Wimbish ended the game with 211 yards, the most of any player in a game this season in the Mountain East Conference, off of 23 carries and scored two touchdowns.

Rashawn Harvey, Chris Charles, and Jerome Harris all collected three catches to lead a balanced receiving effort for the Black and Gold. Garcia and Jamie Diven each saw substantial action in the game under center. Garcia earned the start and led statistically with 124 yards and a touchdown on 12-of-19 throwing.

Gilcreast paced the defense with two sacks in addition to his forced and recovered fumble. Shyoun Petteway tied his season-high with 10 tackles and also made two pass breakups.

Concord filled up the stat sheet through the air with 444 passing yards and five touchdowns from quarterback Jack Mangel. Jarod Bowie was the go-to target with a game-high 186 yards and 16 catches.

The Mountain Lions were also able to extend drives with an 8-for-14 third down conversions mark, while the Hilltoppers were stopped short of the line on 11 of their 13 third downs.

It will be a quick turnaround for West Liberty with a Thursday night game on the schedule next week. The Black and Gold heads to Fairmont State to take on the Falcons for Week 7. Kick off is slated for 7 pm.

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Postgame Interview with Coach Roger Waialae ↓