DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University football opened the 2022 season with a tough 27-14 loss to Apprentice School on Saturday night on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.
                                                                                                                                                                                
Apprentice (1-0) scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to rally from behind and spoil the home opener for Averett (0-1) despite several strong individual performances for the Cougars.
 
Averett jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when sophomore Shawn Watlington scored on a 7-yard pass from senior Bryce Jackson. Although Apprentice answered with a 23-yard field goal in the second quarter, the Cougar took a 7-3 lead into halftime.

Watlington added his second score of the game early in the third quarter with a spectacular run, cutting through the middle before breaking it outside to the right down the sideline for a 33-yard touchdown to extend Averett's lead to 14-3.

Apprentice answered with a big play of its own moments later as Mason Tatum tossed a 56-yard touchdown to get the Builders within 14-10. A 2-yard touchdown run put Apprentice up 17-14 early in the fourth quarter, and the Builders tacked on a 35-yard field goal and a 72-yard run in the final minute to pull away.
 
Watlington finished with 66 rushing yards on 12 carries and six catches for 37 yards and two total touchdowns. Junior Nick Andrews led the Cougars with five catches for 66 yards. Jackson finished with 206 yards through the air.

Averett's defense got big games from seniors Lake Hojnacki and Jahlin Russell, who each finished with 10 total tackles. Russell had 2.5 sacks with one forced fumble, while Hojnacki had one sack and two pass breakups.
 
Averett travels to Christopher Newport University in Week 2.

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