Football | 10/2/2010 8:32:06 PM
Box Score Box Score
Sterling, Kan. – Despite a slow start, which saw the McPherson College football team held scoreless in the first quarter for the first time since last season’s playoff game, the Bulldogs fought hard to a 31-21 win against Sterling College Saturday afternoon at Simsor Stadium.
With the win, McPherson improves to 4-0 for the first time since 1952, while Warriors to 2-2 on the year.
Senior quarterback Shane Mascarenas (Peoria, Ariz) threw for 340 yards, while running back Aaron Lafitte (Ironwood, Ariz.) rushed for a season-high 113 yards and two touchdowns to lead a McPherson offense that posted 523 yards of total offense. The Bulldogs 523 yards marks the second consecutive game with at least 500 yards of total offense.
Junior wide receiver Andy Skinner (Montezuma, Kan.) continued his consistent play with his third straight game with at least 100 yards receiving. The Montezuma, Kan. native caught 10 passes for 102 yards, while Joe Middleton (Phoenix, Ariz.) led the MC receiving corps with 11 receptions for 139 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively, McPherson held the Warriors to just 196 yards of total offense, 78 yards below their season average. Senior middle linebacker Will Powers (Garden City, Kan.) paced the Bulldog defense with 10 tackles, including nine solo stops, 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks.
After a scoreless first quarter, McPherson opened the scoring on a 10 play, 67-yard march, capped by an Aaron Lafitte one-yard touchdown run. Lafitte would post his second score of the day on the Bulldogs next drive, but this time on a three-yard rush. The score gave MC a 14-0 advantage with 8:35 left in the second quarter.
A Sterling punt with 2:06 left in the half gave McPherson the ball at the Warrior 41 yard line. The Bulldogs chipped away with a pair of eight-yard passes to Skinner and Middleton, before Mascarenas scampered eight yards on second and ten to put MC on the Sterling eight with seconds left in the half. However, the Sterling defense held strong and the Bulldogs had to settle for a 21-yard Travis Eason field goal.
SC opened the scoring in the second half with a 20-yard touchdown pass from James Mahla to Matt James to cut the McPherson lead to 17-7. A rare Lafitte fumble and pair of Bulldog personal foul penalties aided the Warriors eight play, 84-yard drive.
McPherson answered on the next drive to extend its lead back to 17, 24-7.
The two teams would alternate scores in the fourth quarter, including a five-yard touchdown run by Scott Thibodeaux (Tonopah, Nev.).
Sterling’s final score came with 2:53 remaining in the quarter, but the McPherson defense proved too strong as the Bulldogs held on the 31-21 victory.
The win marked the first time McPherson has defeated the Warriors in Sterling since 2003.
The Bulldogs return home to face the University of Saint Mary on Saturday, Oct. 9. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
