Defense Shines in Warrior Victory
LINDSBORG, Kan. - Turnovers played a factor in Sterling College's football game in Lindsborg, Kan. against Bethany College on Saturday afternoon. However, Sterling was on the positive end of the turnover battle, forcing four turnovers and beating Bethany 17-10.
Sterling forced a turnover on the very first possession of the game. After Bethany moved the ball 36 yards down the field, Jesse Kendig forced a fumble that was recovered by James Morley to give SC the ball.
The Warriors went three and out on their first possession and then forced another Bethany turnover. On the fourth play of the Swedes' next drive, Matt Bennett picked off a pass by Bethany's Darby House and gave SC the ball on the Bethany 38 yard line.
After moving the ball to the Bethany 28, Sterling would not be able to capitalize on the turnover. Doug Dunn's 45 yard field goal attempt hit the left post, giving the ball back to Bethany.
After a short field position battle, the first quarter would end with a 0-0 score.
Bethany started the second quarter with the ball and drove down to the Sterling four yard live for a first and goal. The Warrior defense would hold and force Kevin Retchless to kick a 19 field goal that gave the Swedes a 3-0 lead.
After a Sterling three and out, the Swedes would take over again on their own 25 yard line. Bethany would earn a quick first down and then look to attack in the air on a first and 10. As House dropped back in the pocket, Sterling's Brian Noller came unblocked on a blitz and drilled House's blindside. House threw the ball as Noller hit him and Sterling's Sean Mestdagh picked off the pass. Mestdagh then returned the ball 43 yards for a Warrior touchdown. Dunn's PAT made the score 7-3.
On the second play of the Swedes' next drive, Noller would again make a play. On second and three, House's pass was picked off by Noller at the Bethany 41.
The two teams would battle for field position through the rest of the half and Sterling would take a 7-3 lead into the half.
Sterling's special teams would strike first in the third quarter. On a Swede fourth and 12, Bethany would have a poor snap go over the head of punter Brett Crome who had no choice but to kick the ball out of the back of his own end zone to prevent Sterling from falling on the ball for a defensive touchdown. With the safety, Sterling took a 9-3 lead.
The Warriors would have the ball to open the fourth quarter with the ball. Sterling would cap off an 11 play, 50 yard drive with a four yard Denton Hudspeth carry for a touchdown. Hudspeth would then complete a pass to Jordan Coleman for the two point conversion, giving Sterling a 17-3 lead.
Bethany would make the game interesting when House would complete a touchdown pass to James Johnson to cap off a 14 play, 84 yard drive on fourth and 10 with 6:10 left to cut the Sterling lead to 17-10.
Sterling's offense would step up, eating up the remaining 6:10 on the clock and finishing the game on a Hudspeth kneel down in victory formation to give SC a 17-10 victory.
Hudspeth led Sterling in rushing, carrying the ball 29 times for 129 yards and a touchdown.
The story of the game was the Sterling defense led by Noller. As Sterling's defensive leader, Noller had five tackles, an interception, and knocked down House many times during the game.
With the win, Sterling improves to 2-7, 2-6 in the KCAC. The Warriors will host McPherson College next week on Saturday for senior day at 1:30 pm. Watch the game live on the Sterling College Sports Network.
