Rams

fourth, coupled with a late turnover from the Rams, it pretty much sealed the win for ECSU.

Next up for WSSU was Chowan University. It was another slow start for the Rams’ offense in this game. Chowan led the entire contest and the Rams did not get their first score until late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Jahmier Slade threw a touchdown pass to Mobley. The 21-7 loss made WSSU 0-4.

The next game was supposed to be the homecoming game against Lincoln, but we all know what happened there. Instead, their next game was against Livingstone College. Yet another slow start for the WSSU offense led to a 14-3 deficit at the half. WSSU continued to fight and claw in the second half; however, Livingstone put the nail in the coffin with less than a minute to go in the game to squeak out a 20-17 win.

That was a short recap of how the Rams got into that 0-5 hole. What was obvious was the slow starts by the Rams on offense was really hurting their chances of winning. Also, their defense was really playing well after the second week of the season and kept them in many games. All they needed was to put it all together and rebound from when momentum swung the other team’s way, and that’s what happened against Shaw University.

It was sort of poetic justice that the Rams picked up their first win of the year at home. WSSU started off the scoring after Octavis McLaurin picked off a Shaw U pass and returned it to the one-yard line to set up the Rams’ offense for a prime scoring opportunity. The drive ended with a field goal. The Rams went up 10-0 after a Nicholas Jackson one-yard touchdown plunge from the quarterback.

Of course, the Bears made a run heading into halftime. They were able to tie the score at 10 at intermission. This is the point where the Rams showed their fortitude. Instead of folding as they did in past games, they continued to fight, blocking a punt that was returned 68 yards for a touchdown by Willy Blackstock, which turned out to be the final score of the game. that “unhealed childhood injuries” is one of the biggest threats to our society. She mentioned that one of the most important chapters in her book talks about family; and she admits she had trouble writing it.

For their second win of the season, the Rams totally dominated the St. Augustine University Falcons. From the kickoff, WSSU took control of the game. If not for a blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown by St. Aug, the score would have been even worse. Every time the Falcons looked to gain some momentum, the Rams quickly answered with a score of their own. Once again, the Rams’ secondary was ball hawking as Deiontae Jones and Narique Smith both had interceptions. The 41-14 victory was the largest of the season to date for WSSU.

The defense led the way once again against Johnson C. Smith University. With both offenses sputtering in the first half, it was the Rams who finally got on track in the third quarter. It wasn’t a pretty win, however it was enough to give the Rams their third consecutive win.

The Rams will face off against Fayetteville State University this Saturday in the regular season finale. Ending the year with a win streak would bode well for WSSU. Their defense really held things together this season and their offense has made tremendous strides as the year has progressed. Head coach Robert Massey and his staff have done a tremendous job by turning things around as they have.

The future looks bright for WSSU as they seek to reclaim some of that past glory the football team is used to enjoying.

“If we don’t get that healing done, it’s just a repeated cycle,” said Shine during the open discussion. “I didn’t want to talk about my family but I did … I had completely written the book and I left that whole chapter out and that was like the key to the whole book, as to how Cheryl got here.”

In addition to writing the book, in honor of her sister Shine has also started the nonprofit organization, Sound the Silence in Domestic Violence (STSIDV). The mission of the organization is to encourage victims and survivors to sound the silence in domestic violence without stigma or shame, by walking in their own truths, unapologetically.

Shine said she believes survivors of domestic abuse play a big role in helping victims overcome. “I think the biggest key to this is survivors because they’re going to help liberate the victims.

“Because it is through our voices and our stories that we can help inspire victims to become survivors. I want survivors to know that they are the key to survival for victims.”

Following the open discussion with Hamlin and taking questions from the audience, Shine signed copies of “Her Voice Beyond the Grave: A Sister’s Cry to Sound the Silence in Domestic Violence” and spoke with readers.

Following the event, Hamlin said, “Ms. Shine’s experiences informed our audience in a powerful way to further educate friends, family members, and loved ones on what to look for and how to respond to survivors.”