Despite a 3-7 record entering the game, Shorter was selected for the bowl due to its high Massey Index rating.
After Brown's fumble recovery at Shorter's own 3-yard-line, the Hawks marched 78 yards before taking a 10-7 lead on a Kenny Langford 36-yard field goal at the end of the half.
[1][3] The Crusaders took control quickly in the third quarter after Rashad Simmons recovered Shorter's fumbled kickoff return in the end zone, giving North Greenville a 14-10 lead.
Then following a Hawks three-and-out, the Crusaders went 49 yards in about two minutes for another TD, increasing their lead to 21-10 on a Nelson Hughes-to-Mason Sanders seven-yard strike.
The Hawks were able to regroup on their next series, driving almost 80 yards on 11 plays and pulling within 21-16 late in the quarter after a 10-yard Aaron Bryant touchdown run (the PAT failed).