WINFIELD, Kan. – (24) Moundbuilders can't hold on late after taking the lead against (10) Evangel, fall short 17-14 in the final seconds.
It felt like the Builders played from behind for three quarters and nearly all of the fourth quarter, with 2:03 left in the final quarter, third down and twelve yards to go from the Southwestern 40 yard line,
Braden Howell completed a 56 yard pass to
Matthew Holthusen who was tackled on the Evangel four yard line.
The Builder's defense held the Valor to 10-7, to the brink so far, and now the SC offense was striking.
With first and goal from the Evangel four-yard line,
Jarious Burnett scored a four-yard touchdown, and after a
Corbin Grant extra point, the Builders found themselves in the lead, 14-10 with only 107 seconds left on the clock.
Burnett would end the game with 84 rushing yards and a critical touchdown on 15 carries.
Evangel would manage to stage a comeback in the final seconds, preserving their unbeaten record at 10-0 and securing at least a share of the Kessinger Division title. Improving to 4-0 in the KCAC, while Southwestern dropped to 7-3, 1-3 in conference.
The decisive moment came when RJ Wakley found Broc Lyle with just 40 seconds left on the clock, connecting for a game-winning touchdown.
The winning drive was set up by a 20-yard pass and catch by Wakley and Lyle. Wakley, who finished the game 20-of-41 for 318 yards and two touchdowns, also demonstrated his versatility by rushing for 63 yards on 14 carries.
The game lived up to the hype, with Evangel drawing first blood and taking an early 7-0 lead in the second quarter. Wakley connected with Dillon Hester for an 8-yard touchdown pass at the 14:55 mark of the second quarter.
Southwestern responded with a 10-play, 54-yard scoring drive, capped by a 6-yard touchdown reception by
Andre Jones from Howell, leveling the score at 7-7.
Evangel dominated the statistics, outgaining Southwestern 449 to 250 in total offensive yards. The Valor defense only allowed 129 passing yards and 121 rushing yards.
Jonah Edwards delivered a critical 39-yard field goal late in the third quarter, proving to be the game-deciding score.
The Moundbuilders struggled against Evangel's defense, converting only 4 of 13 third downs and failing to convert on a fourth-down attempt.
Despite the thrilling comeback, the game almost slipped away from Evangel when they were stopped on 4th and goal from the 1-yard line with 6:20 left in the game. Both teams had punt exchanges before the final two drives ended with points on the board.
The Builders will be back in action on Senior Night, Saturday, Nov. 11, at 1pm, at Richard L. Jantz Stadium.
