Avery Boulware, Campus Carrier Sports Editor
Berry football had its strongest season yet this fall, but the Vikings came just short of making it to the post season for 2015. Centre College beat Berry 30-23 on Saturday, leaving the Vikings with a 7-3 overall record. Both Centre and Berry end with a 6-2 conference record, tied for second place in the Southern Athletic Association.
“It’s frustrating for the guys, because they worked really hard,” head coach Tony Kunczewski said after the game. “It’s hard knowing we were so close.”
The Vikings started the game with energy and intensity. A touchdown pass from junior Dale Jackson to freshman tight end Adam Taylor put the score at 6-0. Junior Mitchell Blanchard secured a 35-yard field goal, making the score 9-0. A 32-yard pass to Chris Lilly bumped the Vikings up to 16-0. Centre then secured a touchdown before the half was over, leaving the final score for the first half 16-6.
The last touchdown of the first half changed the tone for the rest of the game. Centre outscored Berry in the third quarter 10-0, then secured another touchdown at the beginning of the fourth. Sophomore running back Austin Lowe ran the ball for another Berry touchdown later in the fourth quarter, tying the score 23-23, but the Vikings couldn’t regain their lead. In the last three minutes of the fourth quarter Centre nailed the coffin shut, putting the final score at 30-23.
“A few big plays made the difference,” Lowe said. “But everyone played really hard, and I’m really proud of them.”
The Vikings didn’t spend the week preparing for Centre in any specific way, but practiced the same way they have all season, a method that led them to a seven-game winning streak.
“We approach every week the same, said junior wide receiver Trey Ciresi. “Every week is a championship week for us. Unfortunately, our best efforts didn’t win today.”
While the loss wasn’t ideal, it was a great improvement from Berry’s 44-7 loss against Centre last season. Under Kunczewski’s guidance, the Berry football program has grown significantly from a 2-8 overall record and 1-5 conference record last season, and a winless season in 2013, the first for the program. There is already excitement surrounding the anticipated success for 2016.
“We knew we were going to be better [this season],” Kunczewski said. “Last year we lost four games by six points or less. We knew each week that we had the chance to win. We all hope we’re going to be able to build on this.”