HESSTON, Kan. – Hesston College’s flag football team dropped a 41-0 decision to Kansas Wesleyan in a KCAC matchup Wednesday evening. The Coyotes used a fast start and timely defensive plays to take control early and maintain momentum throughout the contest.
Kansas Wesleyan struck quickly after forcing a turnover on Hesston’s opening drive. Quarterback Chihiro Iwata connected with Nyjah Green on a 36-yard touchdown pass to give the Coyotes an early lead. Later in the first quarter, Kansas Wesleyan capitalized on another Hesston turnover with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Iwata to Aliyah Wood, pushing the advantage to 13-0. Moments later, Green made another big play, intercepting a Hesston pass and returning it 20 yards for a touchdown to give Kansas Wesleyan a 20-0 lead at the end of the opening period.
The Larks responded with one of their strongest drives late in the first half, marching deep into Kansas Wesleyan territory behind the passing of Alexis Pabon. Hesston moved the ball 59 yards on a 15-play drive, highlighted by receptions from Akiva Brown and Liliana Espinoza, but the drive ended in a turnover inside the 10-yard line. Kansas Wesleyan added another score just before halftime when Iwata found Wood again for a short touchdown pass, sending the Coyotes into the break with a 27-0 advantage.
Hesston continued to compete in the second half, forcing a turnover early in the third quarter and creating several sustained drives. However, the Larks were unable to convert their offensive opportunities into points. Kansas Wesleyan added to its lead when Iwata scored on a short touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter before Shanya Murape capped the scoring with a 32-yard rushing touchdown midway through the final frame.
Pabon led Hesston offensively, completing 27 of 47 passes for 195 yards. Brown was the Larks’ top receiving target with 10 receptions for 98 yards, while Vari Rua added six catches for 38 yards. Defensively, Destiny Ortiz recorded an interception for Hesston and the Larks also forced a fumble recovered by Pabon during the second quarter.
Hesston finished the game with 210 yards of total offense, while Kansas Wesleyan totaled 329 yards behind Iwata’s four touchdown passes and a balanced offensive attack.
The Larks will be back in action on Wednesday (Mar. 18) as they host Baker University at 6 p.m.
