First DC Mayor’s Cup Tilt Sees G’town Victorious

Barry Barnes, Sports Writer

(Welcome Barry Barnes to the i95Ballerz.com stable of writers. Barnes comes to us with copious experience writing and enjoying sports in his native Baltimore as well as nationally)

September 8, 2008 - Many college teams in the same city or state and division normally play against one another, on a consistent bases. Howard University and Georgetown University programs has been around for 100 years and Sunday, they met for the first time, while they are just about five miles apart.

The weather was beautiful Sunday, and so was the turn out with 6,085 attendees showed to watch this historical game and missed the majority of “week one” of the NFL. That’s impressive. The students attended, but the overwhelming support appeared to have come from the community. “It’s great that the community came out to support this game, but they should have been played,” said one supporter from D.C. But the majority felt the same way especially when they find out how long it took the programs to meet.

The game was fairly physcial without, with Howard attempting to exploit their physical size advantage, to no avail.

The first annual Mayor’s D.C. Cup was a success for the fans and the teams, but more for the Georgetown Hoyas as they were victorious. The Hoyas get their first season opening game win in four years by defeating the Howard Bison, 12-7.

The Hoyas were aggressive with the no-huddle and a planned rotation of quarterbacks, sophomore Keerome Lawrence, freshman James Brady and a series with freshman John O’Leary. “Keerome Lawrence is an exciting running quarterback and James Brady is an excite throwing quarterback, so we wanted to use both of them,” said third year Hoyas’ head coach, Kevin Kelly.

Despite only having fifty-six players suited up for the Bison, mistakes were the biggest issues. Down by five with :42 second left, the Bison was in the Hoyas’ territory moving the ball effectively when junior quarterback Floyd Haigler, dropped the ball. Haigler finished for 17 of 30 throwing for 183 yards and one touchdown to freshman wide receiver Willie Carter, who notched four catches for 23 yards. Senior running back, Karlos Whitaker led the team in rushing with 76 yards on 17 catches, but unfortunately, in fumbles as well with 3 (recovered one) when he had none last season.

The Bison defense played well, but the two big passing plays from the Hoyas’ Brady to senior receiver Kenny Mitchell in the first series of the 4th quarter, broke their back. All-American senior linebacker, Endor Cooper, had 18 tackles, but he, the team and coach staff were not pleased. “We must do better, take care of the ball and cut down the mistakes,” said Bison head coach Carey Bailey.

Email writer Barry Barnes:
2bdcmetrosports@gmail.com