WINFIELD, Kan. — Christian Steward accounted for all three Southwestern touchdowns and nearly 200 yards from scrimmage as the Moundbuilders held off Avila University 19-14 Saturday afternoon at Richard L. Jantz Stadium.
Steward delivered a dominant all-around performance, rushing 18 times for 123 yards and a touchdown while adding six receptions for 75 yards and two scores. He averaged 6.8 yards per carry and finished with 198 total yards from scrimmage as Southwestern improved to 5-1.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Southwestern broke through with 8:32 remaining in the second. James Odom connected with Steward for a 16-yard touchdown to cap a seven-play, 56-yard drive and give the Builders a 6-0 advantage.
Steward struck again less than six minutes later. After breaking loose for a 38-yard run to the Avila 7-yard line, he finished the five-play, 70-yard possession with a 7-yard touchdown run. Jeremiah Schaefer added the extra point to stretch Southwestern's lead to 13-0.
Avila answered just before halftime when Joseph Vick found Javrin Singleton for a 9-yard touchdown with 24 seconds remaining, cutting Southwestern's advantage to 13-6.
Southwestern restored its two-score lead late in the third quarter. The Builders marched 62 yards in nine plays before Odom found Steward for a 5-yard touchdown with 22 seconds remaining. It was Steward's third touchdown of the afternoon and pushed the lead to 19-6.
Avila made things interesting in the fourth quarter with a 17-play, 73-yard drive that consumed more than nine minutes. Vick connected with Xavier Hoskins for a 4-yard touchdown before completing the two-point conversion to Chrishawn Adams, pulling the Eagles within 19-14 with 6:12 remaining.
The Builders never gave Avila another opportunity.
With Southwestern needing to protect a five-point lead, Steward took over on the final possession. He carried eight times for 44 yards during an 11-play, 64-yard drive that consumed the final 6:12. His 13-yard run on third-and-1 moved the ball to the Avila 24, and a 7-yard conversion on third-and-4 later allowed Southwestern to finish the game in victory formation.
Odom completed 15 of 22 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Bryce Chambers added six receptions for 53 yards, while Zamir Hall contributed 34 rushing yards and 18 receiving yards.
Southwestern finished with 353 yards of total offense, including 173 on the ground and 180 through the air. The Builders averaged 6.4 yards per play while limiting Avila to 273 total yards.
The Southwestern defense also produced 10 tackles for loss and two sacks. Adrian Avelar and Lleyton Burghardt each finished with nine tackles, while Isaiah Yehudah recorded seven tackles and a team-high three tackles for loss. Brogan Hardy added six tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss, while Carl Malvo recorded Southwestern's other sack.
Steward's performance ultimately proved to be the difference. He scored every Southwestern touchdown, produced more than half of the Builders' total offense from scrimmage and helped close the game by carrying the workload on a final drive that prevented Avila from getting the ball back.
Southwestern will be back in action on October 17th as the Builders welcome Sterling College for Homecoming weekend. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Richard L. Jantz Stadium.
