by Matt Cooke
A magical season and incredible run through Super Region 2 came to an end Saturday night in Pueblo, Co. as the Wolves fell 10-7 to the Colorado State Pueblo Thunderwolves in the NCAA Semifinal round on Saturday night.
For the Wolves, they finish the season 12-3 in head coach Will Hall's first campaign in Carrollton. For the Thunderwolves, they move to 13-1 and earn a trip to the NCAA National Championship game next Saturday in Kansas City.
In a defensive game where both teams were held significantly below their season averages, the Wolves outgained the Thunderwolves 366 yards to 249 yards, but came up short in the end.
The first half was a defensive battle that saw UWG hold CSU-Pueblo to just 110 total yards and three points. The Thunderwolves came out hot on offense on their first possession, driving all the way inside the West Georgia 10-yard line, but the UWG defense was up to the task as the Thunderwolves were forced to settle for three points.
On UWG's ensuing possession, the Wolves answered with a 10-play, 75-yard drive, capped off by a 30 yard touchdown strike from Dallas Dickey to Shaq Hall to put the Wolves up 7-3. West Georgia missed two opportunities to add points to the board, as Hunter Heck's first field goal was blocked, and the second sailed wide right.
The second half was another defensive half where neither team could get much going on offense. CSU-Pueblo got their only touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter on a reverse pass that eventually became the game-winning touchdown.
The Wolves had two more opportunities following CSU-Pueblo's score, but a Dallas pass was intercepted in the endzone with just over five minutes left. The Wolves had one more shot at taking the lead after a defensive stop, but the pass fell incomplete.
Seth Hinsley led the UWG rushing attack with 73 yards, becoming the single-season record holder for rushing yards for West Georgia. Dallas finished the game with 166 yards through the air and one touchdown.
The Wolves finish their season 12-3 following tonight's setback.
Do you have a comment or opinion about this story's topic? Perspective Online wants to hear from you. Submit a letter to the editor at perspect@westga.edu today.
