MCKENZIE – A fourth-quarter Demetrice Gilbert interception helped preserve Bethel University’s 19-13 win over visiting Edward Waters College at Wildcat Stadium, Saturday.

It didn’t look as if dramatics would enter the equation after the Wildcats increased a 10-0 lead at intermission to 16-0 with 4:56 to play in the third quarter after Bethel quarterback Sam Castronova (21-32-252) played pitch-and-catch with Marvin Rudd from 22 yards out.

Edward Waters, located in Jacksonville, Florida, responded less than two minutes later when Kyveon Jones sprinted 72 yards for a touchdown, and the Tigers trailed 16-7.

Bethel increased its lead to 19-7 after Dalton McCann nailed a 21-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, but this cat fight was far from over.

A freshman, McCann hit from 28 yards out with 13:04 in the second quarter, and Taye Davis (17 carries, 76 yards) went in from one yard out to give Bethel a 10-0 halftime advantage.

Edward Waters College used a 9-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Mahla to Jamal Hughes and made things interesting with 3:40 to play.

Bethel stalled offensively, but Gilbert picked off the Tigers final pass of the day, and Bethel takes a 1-0 record to Lakeland, Florida to play Southeastern University, at 6 p.m., Saturday.

Statistically, Bethel outgained its opponent 375 to 312 yards – 252 to 194 through the air, and 123 to 118 on the ground.

(PHOTO: Bethel quarterback Sam Castronova (21-32-252) hits Josh Williams (7 receptions, 116 yards), Saturday. Photo courtesy Bethel Sports Information Department)
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