2011 football season wrap up
Sarah Hawbaker
Lindsborg News Record
The Bethany College football team finished the 2011 season 8-3 overall and 6-3 in conference play. The last time the football Swedes had an eight-win season was in 2001 under the leadership of former head coach Ted Kessinger.
Although the Swedes were disappointed with the 30-38 loss to Southwestern College in the team's final game of the season, Head Coach Jamie Cruce said the loss "does not take away from the fact that our players worked extremely hard in order to produce one of the best season Bethany football has had in the past ten years."
Cruce said he has a lot of respect for his senior class.
"They have been through some very tough seasons and their hard work, along with the efforts of the past four years, culminated in them enjoying a successful season," Cruce said.
Bethany started off the season 5-0 with wins over Southwestern Assemblies of God University, McPherson College, Bethel College, Kansas Wesleyan University and Avila College. The team suffered its first loss on Homecoming Saturday, Oct. 8, to University of Saint Mary.
The Swedes were able to tack on two more wins over Tabor College and Friends University before losing Oct. 29 to the eventual KCAC Champions, Ottawa University.
On Nov. 5 Bethany defeated Sterling College before falling in their final game Nov. 12 at Southwestern College.
The efforts of several members of the football Swedes landed them in the record books.
Darby House tied for fourth for completions in a game with 32 completions Nov. 12 at Southwestern College. House, a junior from Skidmore, Texas, finished the season with 2475 passing yards for 20 touchdowns. He was ranked 12th in the NAIA in total passing yards and 15th in the NAIA and second in the KCAC in passing yards per game, averaging 225.
Theron "Junior" Allen's 1404 rushing yards this season was good enough for second place in Bethany's record books. He also holds the first place spot for 1416 rushing yards in 2010.
Allen, a junior from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., easily broke his 2010 record in rush attempts in a season with 345 in 2011. He had 242 in 2010.
Allen finished the season ranked first in the NAIA in all purpose yards per game (170.9); second in total rushing (1404); second in rushing yards per game (127.6); and second in all purpose yards (1880). Allen led the KCAC in rushing.
Alex Fambrough, a senior from Tyler, Texas, set the Swedes record for field goals in a season with 17. He led the KCAC in field goals per game, averaging 1.5.
Cruce said his Swedes have a bright future if the team continues to improve and work hard.
"We must ensure that we do not become complacent in what we are trying to do here at Bethany," Cruce said. "We must continue to strive for improvements in not only our level of play, but in our ability to attract quality young men to join our program," Cruce added.
Cruce said his coaching staff with be "working tirelessly over the next eight months in order to try to accomplish this task."
The team's main recruiting focus will be to add quality depth along with some impact players in a few key positions. The team loses four starting seniors on the offensive line, so filling these spots will be a must.
Replacing kicker Alex Fambrough also will be on the coach's to-do list.
"We are looking forward to seeing growing support within the Lindsborg community when we take the field next fall," Cruce said.