WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College forced four turnovers and scored the final 14 points to defeat Sterling 31-10 Saturday at Richard L. Jantz Stadium, capping another successful Homecoming week with a decisive victory in its KCAC Bissell Division opener.
The Moundbuilders improved to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in division play, setting up a much-anticipated trip to No. 7 Friends University. Sterling fell to 2-5 overall and 0-1 in the division.
Southwestern built a 17-0 lead in the first half and answered after Sterling pulled within a touchdown in the third quarter. The Moundbuilders finished with 328 yards of offense and committed no turnovers, while their defense collected two interceptions and recovered two fumbles.
Quarterback James Odom completed 17 of 26 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Christian Steward led the rushing attack with 66 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, while Zamir Hall added 50 yards and a score on five attempts.
Jeremiah Schaefer opened the scoring with a 27-yard field goal with nine minutes remaining in the first quarter. Southwestern's special teams helped extend the lead in the second, when Adrian Avelar blocked a punt to give the Moundbuilders possession at Sterling's 19-yard line.
Two plays later, Steward scored on an 11-yard run for a 10-0 advantage with 11:14 left in the half.
Odom then connected with Bryce Chambers for 40 yards and Roland Harvey for 31 yards on Southwestern's next scoring drive. A 4-yard touchdown pass to Jenson Harness pushed the lead to 17-0 with 6:54 remaining before halftime.
Sterling answered with Steven Werking's 29-yard touchdown pass to Khyaire Hines, cutting the deficit to 17-7 at the break. Emmanuel Roman's 31-yard field goal brought the Warriors within 17-10 midway through the third quarter.
Southwestern responded with an eight-play, 63-yard touchdown drive, capped by Hall's 26-yard scoring run with 3:13 left in the quarter.
The defense delivered another pivotal stop in the fourth. With Sterling threatening at Southwestern's 3-yard line, Isaiah Yehudah forced and recovered a fumble to preserve the 24-10 lead.
The Moundbuilders turned that takeaway into a six-play, 97-yard scoring drive. Odom found Dazurre Paggett for a 34-yard touchdown with 3:01 remaining, extending the advantage to 31-10. Blaine Fulmer intercepted Werking on Sterling's next possession to end the Warriors' final threat.
Paggett finished with five catches for 65 yards, while Chambers added three receptions for 51 yards. Schaefer made all four extra-point attempts.
Jason Wickliff led Southwestern with seven tackles. Avelar recorded six tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a blocked punt. Yehudah added five tackles, and Jackson Meadows joined Fulmer with an interception. Carl Malvo recorded the Moundbuilders' lone sack.
Southwestern now turns its attention to No. 7 Friends for a Bissell Division matchup Saturday, Oct. 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Adair-Austin Stadium in Wichita, Kan.
