NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Averett University football scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to boost the Cougars to a season-opening 34-14 road win over non-conference foe Apprentice School on Saturday.
 
Down 14-10 at halftime, Averett (1-0) made its move on the second possession of the third quarter. Six consecutive runs by sophomore Isaiah Lytton plus two Apprentice penalties led to a score. Lytton broke through for a 16-yard touchdown run to help the Cougars go in front 17-14 with 7:22 left in the quarter.

Averett's next drive stalled in the red zone, but fifth-year senior Will Caviness kicked a 33-yard field goal — his second of the day — to extend the Cougars' lead to 20-14.

With the offense finding success, the defense continued its strong effort to keep Apprentice (0-1) off the scoreboard in the second half. Sophomore cornerback Damian Payton picked off a pass early in the fourth quarter to end a long Apprentice drive down into Averett territory.

Apprentice's final three possessions ended with three-and-out or less efforts thanks to more solid play by Averett's defense.

Averett added to its lead in the fourth quarter with a 1-yard run by fifth-year quarterback Bryce Jackson to make it 27-14. That eight-play, 80-yard drive was set up by sophomore Dreylan Martin's 49-yard run on the first play from scrimmage.
Martin eventually found the end zone himself, taking the second play of the next Averett offensive possession 67 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown to push the Cougars' advantage to 34-14 and help put the game away. Martin finished with a team-high 18 carries for 162 yards.

Averett jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. After pinning Apprentice deep in their own territory, the Cougars took over on the Builders' 38-yard line after a punt. The Cougars put together a seven-play drive that culminated with a 2-yard quarterback run up the middle by Jackson.

An Averett turnover late in the first quarter helped set up Apprentice's first score of the day. Averett fumbled the ball in its own 29-yard line. The Cougars' defense stopped the Builders twice on inside the 5-yard line, but Apprentice's Kamron Jackson found a hole and scored from four yards out to help tie the score, 7-7, with 11:11 left in the second quarter.

Another turnover by the Cougars on their ensuing possession — this time an interception — again gave Apprentice good field position to set up another short scoring drive. Nine plays later, Builders quarterback Mason Tatum dove in for a 1-yard touchdown to give Apprentice a 14-7 lead with 5:02 left in the half.

The Cougars pulled within 14-10 just before halftime with a 24-yard field goal from Caviness.

The win for Averett was its first in four game against Apprentice, which beat the Cougars to open the 2022 season before going 9-1 overall last season. Saturday's win over the Builders was the Cougars' first win in a season-opener since 2019.

Averett got a balanced defensive effort, which was led by senior Qumar Price's eight tackles. Fifth-year senior Jahlin Russell had six tackles, including a sack. Junior Tony Totten Jr. added a sack and sophomore Zaidarius McKenzie added a fumble recovery.

In addition to Martin's big game in the ground game, Lytton added 13 carries for 71 yards. Jackson completed nine passes for 108 yards, which made him Averett's all-time leading passer in career yards with 4,788. Hall of Famer Scott Swann '06 previously held the record with 4,736 career yards while playing for the Cougars from 2002-05.

Averett returns home to face non-conference foe Greensboro College on Sept. 9 at 6 p.m.
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