Lindsborg, Kan. – The Bethany College Swedes played host to the Avila University Eagles for Homecoming and Hyningsfest weekend. This week marked the first week of interdivisional play for the KCAC meaning the rest of the contests for the year will impact playoff chances.
Things went from really good to really bad in a span of about one minute. The Swedes forced a three-and-out to open the contest, but would fumble to ball on their second play from scrimmage resulting in a score-and-score for the Eagles. The Swedes would answer back on the following drive with a 10-play, 90-yard drive resulting in a Josiah Hardrick one-yard touchdown, but the extra point after would be unsuccessful due to a botched snap.
The Eagles would score on two consecutive drives in the second quarter to take a 20-6 lead, but that would not take the Swedes out of it as Hardrick would score his second one-yard touchdown with 7:25 left on the clock. Following a three-and-out, Jessie Caver III would connect with Chase Hyer for a 16-yard touchdown with just under two minutes left to go until halftime. We would enter halftime tied 20-20 following a missed field goal attempt by the Eagles.
During the break, the Swede were hit with an unsportsmanlike penalty to open the half allowing the Eagles to kickoff from the 50-yard line. The Swedes would punt on their first drive, but Luis Gonzalez would somehow get a punt off and pin the Eagles on their own nine yard line. The Swedes would utilize that momentum to take their first lead of the contest 23-20 by way of a 37-yard field goal via Gonzalez. Unfortunately, on the next drive, the Eagles’ running back would scamper for a 48-yard touchdown to take back the lead 27-23.
Luis Gonzalez would connect on another field goal attempt early in the fourth, but the last drive of the game is where things went south. On the final drive of the game, the Swedes just needed a stop. On that drive, the Swedes committed three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties which results in an automatic first down every time. The Eagles would be able to run the clock out resulting in a final score of 27-26.
Jessie Caver III only threw 13 passes on the afternoon for 66 yards and a touchdown. Chase Hyer had two catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. Luis Gonzalez continued his perfect season going 4-4 on kicks.
The rushing attack was working for the Swedes. As a team, the ran for 265 yards on 54 attempts for an average of 4.9 yards a carry. Four running backs averaged north of 4.9 yards per carry. Josiah Hardrick ran for 118 on 22 carries and two touchdowns. Jadavion Fleming ran for 88 on 18 carries, NeTaveus Johnson had 47 yards on nine carries and Jackson Cobbs had 25 yards on three carries.
On defense, Malcolm Jones recorded 10 tackles; four being solo. David Martinez, Kamorion Carter, and Bryan Adams each tallied a sack on the afternoon. Carter also had another tackle for loss, a pass breakup, and two quarterback pressures.
Up Next…
The Swedes will take a short drive to Newton, Kan. to take on the Bethel College Threshers. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM at Thresher Stadium.
