After reaching the National semifinals last year, and falling to Valdosta State, GA, the hopes of WCU’s football team were high of returning this season. Unfortunately, their plans were halted Saturday night after losing to C.W. Post, 24-20, in the first round of the NCAA Division II National Championships.The West Chester Golden Rams were ahead until the last 1:20 when C.W. Post ran 96 yards down the field on ten different plays to just edge past the Golden Rams to win the game.
Ryan Heller of C.W. Post was responsible for scoring the final touchdown after catching a 15- yard pass from C.W. Post quarterback Rob Blount.
This victory was the first NCAA Division II playoff win for the Post. They will now travel to the number one team in the division, Shepherd, of West Virginia, next Saturday.
The game got off to a shaky start for the Golden Rams, with the Pioneers taking a 6-0 lead as their quarterback tumbled into the end zone off of a seven-yard carry. This touchdown was unable to be converted because of a bad snap.
However, the Golden Rams retaliated with an immediate touchdown after just five plays, to give WCU a 7-6 lead only 7:52 into the first quarter. Junior Brent Steinmetz was responsible for the first touchdown for the Golden Rams after pushing through the defensemen to carry the ball 20-yards into the end zone.
At the end of the first half, the WCU’s Steinmetz struck again, carrying the ball for oneyard to bring the score to 14-6.
It looked as if the Golden Rams were going to head into the half with a lead, but C.W. Post answered with a touchdown of their own and a two-point conversion to tie the game 14-14.
C.W. Post came into the second half full of fire again, but James Etheridge of WCU intercepted a touchdown and ran the ball for 27-yards to the Post’s 26.
Once again, Steinmetz scored the next touchdown for the Golden Rams. Steinmetz carried the ball for all six plays after Etheridge’s interception before crashing into the end zone off of two-yard carry. Unfortunately, the point after touchdown (PAT) was blocked, giving the Golden Rams only a six-point lead.
C.W. Post marched back into WCU territory, but the Golden Rams defense stopped a touchdown attempt, forcing the Post to kick a field goal and bringing the score to 20-17 with the Golden Rams still ahead. The fourth quarter was almost scoreless until the amazing final touchdown of the game by Post’s Ryan Heller with only three seconds left on the clock. This touchdown brought the Golden Rams road to victory to an abrupt stop.
Steinmetz was without a doubt the key player for the Golden Rams Saturday night. He carried the ball a total of 27 times for 115-yards and all three Golden Rams touchdowns,which ties his career best of three touchdowns in one game. He finished the 2005 season with 1188 yards, pushing him to the eighth-highest single-season total in WCU history. He also finished the season with 1615 all-purpose yards, which puts him in tenth place in school history.
Freshman Michael Washington also finished the season on a high note. He caught the ball three times for 30-yards in Saturday night’s game, finishing his rookie season with 1185receiving yards, fourth highest in a single season in school history, with a 25.2 yards per catch average. Washington crushed Cory DeForrest’s record of 21.8 posted during the 2004 season.
Washington also finished fifth all-time in school history with 15 TD catches in a single season.
Brandon Simmons also had a good game Saturday. He had three catches for a total of 69 yards. He ended his career with 2409 yards, putting him in fifth place in WCU history. He also has had 120 career catches, ranking him 11th.
Sophomore Lateef Ferguson lead the Golden Rams defense with a total of 14 tackles, with three tackles for loss, and forcing one fumble.
The Golden Rams finish their season with an 8-4 record.