NEWPORT NEWS - The Apprentice School football team dropped a 34-14 decision to Averett Saturday afternoon in the 2023 season opener.

"It wasn't our day," said head football coach Vincent Brown. "We started slow, and that wasn't something we are accustomed to. We don't make any excuses, and kudos to Averett as they came ready to play. How we bounce back next week will be extremely important to the success of our season."

The Cougars struck first as Bryce Jackson took advantage of a short field to cap a quick drive with a 2-yard touchdown run and put Averett up midway through the first quarter. Apprentice answered early in the second quarter when Kamron Jackson plunged in from four yards out to tie the game up.

Six minutes later, Mason Tatum snuck in from a yard out to put the Builders up, 14-7, but Averett answered with a field goal as time expired in the first half to cut into the lead and take momentum into the intermission.

Averett kept the momentum in the second half on both sides of the football, opening the second half with an Isaiah Lytton 16-yard touchdown run to take a 17-14 lead. After another field goal six minutes later pushed the lead to six, the Cougars buckled down defensively, while scoring a pair of rushing touchdowns in the final four minutes of the game to get the season opening win.

Jackson led the Builders with 115 yards on the ground, accounting for over half of the Builders' 204 yards rushing.

Apprentice will look to bounce back next week on the road at Buffalo State. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.