April 12, 2003
Cullowhee, N.C. - The Western Carolina football team wrapped up its final spring practice of 2003 with its annual Purple-Gold Game Saturday afternoon at Whitmire Stadium/Waters Field. The gold team, featuring the game's offensive MVP Brian Gaither and the defensive MVP Michale Spicer, defeated the purple team, 27-10.
"These guys have worked really hard this spring," praised second-year head coach Kent Briggs. "Sometimes when you split up the team (purple versus gold) you lose some continuity, but I thought they did a great job today. (Brian) Gaither played very well and I was very proud of (backup quarterback for purple) Justin (Clark). I thought he played well and I was impressed with his composure."
Prior to the game, the Catamount coaching staff announced its awards for spring practice. Defensive tackle Albert Reid was named the "Most Improved Defensive Lineman" and Lamar Barnes was selected as the team's "Most Valuable Defensive Lineman". Bruce Lee was named the "Most Improved Defensive Back", while B.J. Jessup was named the "Most Valuable Defensive Back". On the offensive side, Jarrett Wishon was named the "Most Improved Offensive Lineman" and Morris Sanders was honored as the "Most Valuable Offensive Lineman". Nicholas Wishart was named the "Most Improved Offensive Back/Receiver", while Manny DeShauteurs was selected as the "Most Valuable Offensive Back/Receiver".
A 38-yard field goal by Tim Mayse gave the gold team an early 3-0 lead. A strong gold defense, led by Anwar Phillips and Jessup, shut down the purple team's offense, holding them to two yards on their first drive. The gold team scored its first touchdown of the game on a carry by John Bush from one yard out to make the score 10-0. Later on in the first half, Larry Atkinson intercepted a pass from Josh Lee and ran it in for a touchdown to make the score 17-0 with Mayse's PAT. Chris Vought answered the gold team's scoring surge with a 46-yard field goal to make the score 17-3.
To start the second half, it was J.C. Brown of the purple team connecting on a five-yard pass from Clark, scoring the team's first touchdown of the game to bring gold's lead down to seven points. With Gaither stepping back in as quarterback for gold in the second half, he connected with Lamont Seward for an 81-yard touchdown, with the point after, making the score 24-10. Mayse hit a 29-yard field goal for the gold team to give the team a 27-10 lead, which proved to be the final score.
Defensively, Spicer came up big for the gold team with six tackles, four of them for losses, and 2.5 sacks. Deonte Cook had a good second half for gold, with a fumble recovery and an interception, and tallied three tackles for the day. Despite a 17-point loss, the purple team had a good defensive game as Bruce Lee led the pack with eight tackles, one for loss. Rico Reese tallied four tackles, assisting on a TFL, and one pass breakup. Philyaw recorded five tackles, one for loss, and half a sack, while Nick McNeil posted three tackles, one for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
Gold
Passing: Brian Gaither 14 comp., 183 yds, 1 TD; Andrew Anker 0 comp.
Rushing: Nicholas Wishart 14-23 yds; John Bush 3-7 yds, 1 TD; Valentine Olaleye 1-0 yds
Receiving: T. Alford 6-50 yds; John Bush 1-8 yds; Michael Reeder 1-7 yds; Nicholas Wishart 2-14 yds; Brian Pesci 1-3 yds; Todd Bargella 1-10 yds; Lamont Seward 1-81 yds, 1 TD
Kicking: Tim Mayse 2-3 FG for 38 and 29 yds
Defense: Anwar Phillips 3 tackles; B.J. Jessup 4 tackles; Michale Spicer 6 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 1/2 sacks; Luis Herron 2 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1/2 sack; Lamont Reid 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 caused fumble; Ricky Rainey 1 tackle; Larry Atkinson 1 INT, 1 TD; Mike Watson 3 tackles, 1 pass breakup; Lamar Barnes 2 tackles; Deonte Cook 3 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT; Kevin McAlmont 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack; Buck Freeman 2 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack; Jacob Hannah 1 tackle; Cameron Hermon 1 pass breakup
Purple
Passing: Josh Lee 4 comp., 55 yds, 2 INT; Justin Clark 8 comp., 109 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Josh Lee 1-4 yds; Manny DeShauteurs 14-52 yds
Receiving: Brian Rucker 2-18 yds; L.J. Williams 3-82 yds; Xavier Godard 1-14 yds; J.C. Brown 2-25 yds, 1 TD; Manny DeShauteurs 1-10 yds
Kicking: Chris Vought 1-1 FG for 46 yds
Defense: Rico Reese 4 tackles, 1/2 TFL, 1 pass breakup, 1/2 sack; Randy Thompson 4 tackles; Stanley Brigman 4 tackles, 1/2 TFL; Bruce Lee 8 tackles, 1 TFL; Johnta Philyaw 5 tackles, 1 TFL, 1/2 sack; Rod Dunlap 3 tackles; Otis Powell 2 tackles; Nick McNeil 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 1/2 sacks; Dwain Johnson 1 tackle; James Conklin 2 tackles; Andre Brown 1 tackle; Ben Brooks 1 tackle, 1 pass breakup
