WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College heads to Ottawa on Saturday for a conference showdown that pits the Builders' pass-first offense against one of the most explosive aerial attacks in the NAIA.
Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. March 7 in Ottawa.
Southwestern enters the matchup 2-0 after opening the season with victories over William Woods (7-0) and Hesston College (12-6). The Builders have relied on a strong defensive effort early in the season, allowing just six points across two games while holding opponents to 279 total yards and minus-51 rushing yards.
The Builders are coming off a 12-6 road win at Hesston in which quarterback Kennedi Hayes threw for 194 yards and two touchdowns while completing 19 of 33 passes. Andrea Moon led Southwestern's receiving group with nine catches for 86 yards and a touchdown, while Lilibeth Rico added a scoring reception.
Southwestern's defense played a major role in the victory. The Builders recorded two interceptions and four sacks from Moon to help secure the win.
Through two games, Southwestern has totaled 337 yards of offense, including 262 passing yards and three touchdown passes. The Builders have controlled possession early in the season, averaging more than 12 minutes per game with the ball.
Ottawa enters the contest unbeaten at 3-0 and coming off a dominant 78-0 win over Bethel. The Braves are averaging 45.3 points and 349.3 yards per game while piling up 918 passing yards and 15 touchdown passes through their first three contests.
Quarterback Anna Anderson has led the offense, completing 58 of 85 passes for 722 yards and 11 touchdowns without an interception. She also leads the team in rushing with 134 yards and three scores.
Ottawa's receiving corps has been equally productive. Alyssa Linkous leads the Braves with 18 receptions for 291 yards and five touchdowns, while Marley Spielberg and Olga Sotillo have combined for 271 receiving yards and five scores.
The Braves showcased their passing depth in the win over Bethel, throwing for 430 yards and nine touchdowns. Anderson passed for 234 yards and five touchdowns, while Olivia Cadiz added 196 yards and four scores while completing nine of 10 passes. Linkous finished that game with 169 yards and three touchdowns.
Ottawa's defense has also been disruptive, recording eight sacks and forcing three interceptions this season.
Saturday's matchup presents a contrast in styles, with Southwestern's defense facing one of the top passing attacks in the conference. The Builders will look to slow Ottawa's aerial offense while continuing to build momentum after two early-season wins.
Historically, Ottawa has controlled the series between the two programs. The Braves hold a 2-0 record against Southwestern in women's flag football, including a 34-0 win in the most recent meeting on March 26, 2025, in Winfield. Ottawa also claimed a 47-0 victory in the first matchup between the teams on March 13, 2024. This game will mark the third meeting between the programs and the first of the 2026 season
Saturday's matchup could come down to protection and big-play defense. Southwestern will look to protect Hayes from Ottawa's pass rush, while the Builders' defense will try to limit the Braves' receivers from turning short passes into explosive gains.
