Wingate football players likely heard plenty about Virginia Union’s MVP tailback Jada Byers in the lead up to Saturday’s D2 playoff opener.
In the end, it was a slippery back-up quarterback who did the Bulldogs in. RJ Rosales, who took over the reins of the offense in the second half, plowed in from the 1-yard line in overtime, and VUU stunned Wingate 34-31 at Irwin Belk Stadium.
Rosales also completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jeremi Frances with 20 seconds left in regulation to force extra time. Twice on that crucial game-tying drive, Rosales converted long fourth down plays with heads-up scrambling. He went for 15 yards on fourth-and-11 and a few plays later 16 yards on fourth-and-14.
Virginia Union (9-3) moves to the second round of the D2 playoffs where they will face Lenoir-Rhyne. Second-seeded Wingate’s season, which included a conference championship, ends at 9-2.
Virginia Union recorded season highs in points (34) and total yards (404) against Wingate’s defense, which has been ranked among the best in the nation all season.
The Panthers kept the Bulldogs on their back foot most of the first half, using a downfield passing attack and getting the ball to Byers in creative ways. Byers, who has more than 5,000 career rushing yards at VUU, didn’t crack 100 on Saturday (finishing with 92 on 23 attempts) and didn’t find the end zone. But he did catch four passes for 57 yards, and the attention Wingate defenders paid him opening things up for others.
VUU starting quarterback Mark Wright tossed a pair of first-half touchdown passes, a 44-yarder to Regi Vick midway through the first period and a 34-yarder to Keon Davis with 3:45 left in the half.
Wingate was able to counter with solid offense of its own to stay within a point at the break, 21-20. Caleb Bonesteel, the MVP of last week’s SAC title game, hit a pair of field goals, including a 48-yarder late in the second quarter. Corey Siemer found the end zone on a 2-yard run, while Evan McCray caught an 18-yard pass from Brooks Bentley.
Even with its defense getting dented, Wingate seemed to take control of momentum after halftime.
Joseph Reddish intercepted a Mark Wright pass at the Wingate 2. The Bulldogs then marched 98 yards in seven plays to take a 26-21 lead with 4:03 left in the third. Austin Cain made an acrobatic 26-yard TD catch from Bentley, somersaulting into the end zone.
The 2-point attempt failed, but Wingate got 2 points midway through the fourth quarter anyway, sacking Rosales in the end zone (Wright had exited with an injury by this point). The Bulldogs got the ball back with 6:25 remaining, holding a 28-21 advantage.
But Bentley was picked off two plays later at the WU 32 by Jayden Earley. With Rosales doing his best Houdini work and scrambling for first-down yardage on multiple fourth-down plays, Virginia Union was able to tie the game and force overtime.
Wingate’s OT series ended in three plays with a 39-yard Bonesteel field goal. But the 31-28 Bulldog lead would be brief.
Rosales rushed for a yard on Virginia Union’s first play of its OT series, then Byers picked up 5 to set up third-and-four. Rosales became Lamar Jackson yet again and danced his way 18 yards up the middle to the Wingate 1. His short rush on the next play ended the contest – and Wingate’s season.
Wingate | Top Performers
- Brooks Bentley (QB)
- 18 completions on 28 attempts for 266 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception; longest pass 56 yards.
- Evan McCray (WR)
- 4 receptions for 113 yards and 1 touchdown, including a 56-yard play.
- Corey Siemer (RB)
- Rushing: 18 carries for 90 yards (5.0 avg) and 1 touchdown; longest run 20 yards.
- Receiving: 1 reception for 10 yards.
- Kai Russell (DL)
- Defensive standout with 9 total tackles (3 solo, 6 assists), 3 tackles for loss (10 yards), and 1 sack (7 yards).
- Austin Cain (WR)
- 1 reception for 26 yards and a touchdown.
Virginia Union Top Performers
- Mark Wright (QB)
- 13 completions on 21 attempts for 202 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception; longest pass 44 yards.
- Jada Byers (RB/WR)
- Rushing: 23 carries for 92 yards (4.0 avg), longest run 30 yards.
- Receiving: 4 receptions for 57 yards, longest catch 18 yards.
- Regi Vick (WR)
- 4 receptions for 92 yards and 1 touchdown, including a 44-yard scoring play.
- RJ Rosales (QB)
- Passing: 4 completions on 8 attempts for 49 yards and 1 touchdown; longest pass 23 yards.
- Rushing: 9 carries for 50 yards (5.6 avg) and 1 touchdown; longest run 18 yards.
- Shamar Graham (LB)
- Defensive leader with 10 total tackles (4 solo, 6 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss (6 yards), and 1 sack (4 yards).
Virginia Union 34, Wingate 31 | Scoring Summary
1st Quarter:
- 10:09 – Wingate struck first with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Brooks Bentley to Evan McCray, capping a quick 4-play, 52-yard drive. (WU 7-0)
- 07:29 – Virginia Union responded with a 44-yard touchdown pass from Mark Wright to Regi Vick after a 6-play, 73-yard drive. (Tied 7-7)
- 03:51 – Wingate regained the lead on Caleb Bonesteel’s 18-yard field goal following an 8-play, 58-yard drive. (WU 10-7)
2nd Quarter:
- 14:54 – Curtis Allen powered into the end zone for Virginia Union with a 2-yard run, completing a 7-play, 75-yard drive. (VUU 14-10)
- 08:08 – Corey Siemer scored on a 2-yard run for Wingate after a methodical 13-play, 73-yard drive. (WU 17-14)
- 03:45 – Keon Davis hauled in a 34-yard touchdown pass from Mark Wright for Virginia Union, finishing an 8-play, 75-yard drive. (VUU 21-17)
- 00:49 – Caleb Bonesteel closed the half for Wingate with a 48-yard field goal. (VUU 21-20)
3rd Quarter:
- 01:00 – Wingate’s Austin Cain caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Brooks Bentley after a 98-yard drive. The two-point conversion attempt failed. (WU 26-21)
4th Quarter:
- 06:33 – Wingate extended the lead with a safety, forcing Virginia Union out of bounds in the end zone. (WU 28-21)
- 00:20 – Virginia Union tied the game on Jeremi Frances’ 9-yard touchdown reception from RJ Rosales, concluding a 13-play, 48-yard drive. (Tied 28-28)
Overtime:
- 00:00 – Caleb Bonesteel drilled a 39-yard field goal for Wingate to take the lead. (WU 31-28)
00:00 – Virginia Union’s RJ Rosales sealed the victory with a 1-yard touchdown run on their overtime possession. (VUU 34-31)
