Lindsborg, Kan. – The Bethany College Swedes Football team played host to the Sterling College Warriors on Saturday, September 20. The Swedes would never trail, but could not relax as the Warriors were constantly just a couple plays away from taking the lead.
Bethany would start off strong as King Williams would block a punt after a botched snap on the first drive of the match. The Swedes would take no time at all to capitalize on the mistake as Jessie Caver III would take it to the pylon to break the scoreless tie.
The following drive was almost a win for the Swedes as the Warriors would go three-and-out, but a roughing the kicker penalty extended the drive resulting in a Warrior touchdown and successful extra-point attempt to take a 7-6 lead. The Swedes would answer back with a six-play, 61-yard drive capped off by a three-yard rushing touchdown from Josiah Hardrick.
In the second quarter, defense was prevalent. To open the second quarter, David Martinez would jump in front of a pass for an interception. Later on, Dakota Grayson would halt a 13-play, 60-yard drive by blocking a field goal that was recovered by David Martinez leaving the score 14-7 in favor of the Swedes going into halftime.
To start the third quarter, Lael Eddins returned the opening kickoff back to the Sterling 23-yard line. On the very next play, Jessie Caver III found Ryker Grossner in the endzone to put the Swedes up 21-7. Sterling would answer back with a long drive of their own, but Caver would find Grossner again on the following drive.
In the fourth, Caver would race to the endzone again, this time a five-yard score to put the Swedes up 34-14. The Warriors would score two more times to cut it to an 8-point deficit with 2:36 left to go. The Swedes would almost put it away with a 41-yard connection from Caver to Khalil Marks, but an Ineligible Receiver Down Field penalty would make them replay the down and the Swedes would have to punt. Sterling was driving down field, but ran out of time trying to stop the clock with a spike. The Swedes would hang on 34-26.
Jessie Caver III would have another stellar game. He threw for 180 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing 13 times for 66 yards and two more scores. Josiah Hardrick would have 12 rushes for 43 yards and a score. Ryker Grossner would lead the Swedes in catches (6) and record the only score for the receiving corps. Chase Hyer would nab four balls for 91 yards.
On defense, David Martinez had himself a day with eight tackles, one sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and recovered a blocked field goal. Dakota Grayson led the defensive backs with two pass breakups to go along with a blocked field and six tackles.
As a team, the Swedes produced 366 yards of total offense. It was an even attack with 180 yards through the air and 186 on the ground.
Up Next…
The Swedes will take a trip down to Winfield, Kan. next weekend to faceoff against the Southwestern College Moundbuilders who are ranked 20th in the country. Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM on Saturday, September 27.
