Football | 11/12/2013 3:18:00 PM
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McPherson, Kan. – For the finale of the 2013 football season, McPherson College will travel to Winfield, Kansas to take on the 5-5 Moundbuilders of Southwestern College. Mac will be looking to continue the momentum gained in their 37-7 blowout victory of Bethany from a week ago.
Against the Terrible Swedes, McPherson pulled out the halfback-pass on the first play from scrimmage; Gerald Hardridge, a high school quarterback, hit Tremon Robinson for a 34-yard gain. 12 plays later and Mac got on the board with a 22-yard field goal by Mike Phillips.
The next score for MC came on a 10-yard scamper by Havelock Pomele, capping an 11-play drive and putting the 'Dogs up 10-0. In the second quarter, Trea Lott picked off Bethany and took it into Swede territory which gave the McPherson offense a short field. The Bulldog O took advantage and scored on a QB sneak by Hoffman. As the half winded down, Phillips booted another field goal through the uprights to give Mac a 20-0 lead as they headed into haltime.
BC came out in the third quarter looking to make some waves as they returned the opening kickoff near midfield. Unfortunately for Bethany, the Bulldog defense had other plans as Micah Roehl intercepted a pass a few plays later. MC didn't score on that possession but a beautiful pooch punt by Trent Forrester pinned Bethany inside their own 10. Following a three-and-out, the 'Dogs got the ball back and ended their drive with Phillips' third field goal of the day, coming from 28 yards out.
In the fourth quarter, Mac started it on the Swede's side of the field shortly thereafter and found themselves with first and goal from the one-yard line. Three plays later and Hoffman found freshman tight end Jordan Brady for a touchdown, giving the Bulldogs a 30-0 edge.
The Mac defense forced a five-and-out, giving the offense a short field which they took advantage of as Hoffman hit Gerald Hardridge for a 14-yard touchdown, bringing their total to 37.
In the closing minutes, Bethany finally made their way across the goal line on a quarterback keeper.
The clock struck zero with the Bulldogs winning their second-straight against the Swedes 37-7.
Pomele took control of the ground game for McPherson, totaling 111 yards on 22 carries. Despite taking four sacks, Hoffman took care of business from his quarterback position as he threw for 202 yards and a couple TDs on 18-of-36. He found six different receivers with Robinson making a reception 11 times for 161 yards while Hardridge logged two grabs for 33 and a touchdown.
Allowing just 152 yards, zero third down conversions and just nine total first downs, the Bulldog D made a statement on Saturday. They recorded three takeaways and forced a 2.5 yards per play average. Trent Forester, who also claimed the punting duties for the day, led the team in tackles with five. Five players tallied four tackles and accumulated seven tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks between them. Lott ended the day with a pair of picks and three solo stops.
Saturday's game in Winfield will end the season for McPherson. Up next for the 'Dogs is spring ball which is set to begin in March.
Scouting Southwestern
The 5-5 Moundbuilder squad is a much improved team from a year ago. Their wins have come against the usual group of conference opponents, excluding a 26-22 victory over Oklahoma Baptist University to kick of the season back in August. This past Saturday, SWC squared off against Sterling and lost 48-14 to the KCAC leading Warriors.
After holding SC to zero points for the first 10 minutes of the game, the Builder defense finally gave in as Sterling scored with just a couple minute to play in the opening quarter. SWC responded with a touchdown of their own but that was the last time the Moundbuilders made it to the end zone as the Warriors rattled off 41 of the next 48 points including 24 in the second quarter.
Southwestern was led on the ground by Brady Keith who racked up 119 yards on 24 attempts, he also had one of the two SWC touchdowns. Spencer Pullen totaled 51 yards rushing on 11 carries. Tyler Crandall had 24 attempts throwing, 14 of which were completed for 185 yards, one TD and an interception. Brady May also took a few snaps under center, completing just 3-of-11 and throwing a pair of picks. Joe Vargas led the receivers with 97 yards on six grabs. Next on the receiving list were Grant Trembly and Ceth Bannister who had 67 and 22, respectively.
The defense allowed 445 yards to Sterling with 379 coming on the ground; SC only had 66 yards passing but had little need to put the ball in the air. Paul Mata recorded a game-high 14 tackles with six being by himself; he also had 2.5 tackles for a loss and a forced fumble. Otis Ray was next on the team with nine, four for a loss, followed by Kaman Holt who netted six.
This year Pullen has accumulated 830 rushing yards to lead the team; he's made it to pay dirt eight times and averages 83 per contest. Tanner Strohl is second on the team, totaling 404 yards with no scores. Using the two-quarterback system, SWC is led by May who is 118-of-260 for 1600 yards and 13 touchdowns; he also has thrown the ball to the other team 10 times. Crandall has played in seven games this season with the yards on Saturday making up most of his total 284 yardage. Vargas is a favorite target for the quarterbacks as he's amassed 43 catches for 589 yards and six touchdowns. Bannister is second on the team with his 37 snatches for 508 yards and three scores.
The defense is ran by Mata who has 92 tackles on the year with 61 being solo stops; he has 18 tackles for a loss, which is 10th in the NAIA. Ttorbin Harper has 81 tackles to his name, 46 coming by himself. The sack leader for SWC is Ray who ties Mata with 6.5. Lorenzo Fouts leads the Nation in interceptions with seven and also has 43 tackles for the season.
Southwestern's season is also over following their contest on Saturday.
