WINFIELD, Kan.— Southwestern College's flag football team pulled off a hard-fought 13-6 win over Cottey College (1-4,1-3) in a conference showdown at Richard L. Jantz Stadium on Wednesday night.
The game was a defensive battle through the first three quarters, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm. The score was tied 6-6 entering the final minute, when Olivia Manfre made the game-changing play that would secure the victory for the Builders.
With just less then a minute remaining in the game, Kennedi Hayes connected with Manfre for a 27-yard touchdown pass, pushing the score to 13-6. The quick drive, which took only three plays and 55 yards, capped off a memorable performance from Manfre, who also scored Southwestern's first touchdown of the night in the second quarter.
The game started slow, with both teams exchanging defensive stops. Southwestern's first score came with 7:31 left in the second quarter, as Hayes found Manfre for a 9-yard touchdown pass, though the extra point attempt was no good. Cottey responded just a few minutes later with a 56-yard touchdown pass from Amya Corulla to Xitlali Botts, tying the game 6-6 after an unsuccessful extra point attempt.
Despite the back-and-forth, neither team was able to break the deadlock until the late-game heroics from Manfre. Hayes led the final drive with poise, completing 21 of 31 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns, with Manfre being the primary target.
Cottey struggled offensively, managing only 178 yards through the air and 50 yards on the ground. The Comets' offense was unable to convert on multiple red-zone opportunities, finishing the game with just one touchdown on four attempts.
Southwestern College (2-2, 2-2) will look to build on this win as they continue their conference play. The team has two upcoming away matches this weekend in Fulton, MO, where they will face Campbellsville University Tigers on Friday at 5:30 PM and William Woods University Owles on Saturday at 1:00 PM.
