Swedes Earn 18-15 Victory in Season Finale
MCPHERSON – The Swede football team took home a thrilling 18-15 victory over McPherson College today in the last game of the season. Bethany finishes out their 2016 campaign with a 2-9 record with a KCAC finished of 2-7.
The Swedes had an opportunity to get on the board early when the team was able to make a 48-yard drive. However, a missed field goal would end these hopes and it would McPherson who got on the board first. Just over eight minutes into the game the Bulldogs were able to find the end zone on one 51-yard play, but the extra point did not go.
Bethany answered this on the next drive with a touchdown of their own when Nathaniel Ocran, senior running back, was able to get in. This touchdown drive consisted of 13 plays totaling 68 yards. Kyle Gfeller's, senior kicker, extra point was good and the Swedes took a 7-6 lead with 6:30 left in the first quarter.
McPherson would then counter on their next drive which extended though the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second. McPherson once again was able to get into the end zone. With the help of a big 41-yard touchdown pass at the end of the nine-play, 69-yard drive; the Bulldogs were back on top again 12-7.
After this action, both teams went cold exchanging drives until the start of the fourth quarter. Here McPherson was able to extend their lead with 28-yard field goal with 13 minutes left to play.
Ocran would strike again for the Swedes finding the end zone for the second time with a seven-yard run with just over seven minutes left on the clock. A successful two-point conversion pass from Isaiah Salazar, sophomore quarterback, to Trevon Jones, freshman wide receiver, tied the game up at 15-15.
On their last drive over the game with the clock winding down the Bulldogs marched the ball to Bethany's 32-yard line but a forced and recovered fumble by Rhett Mizer, sophomore safety, would give the Swedes one last shot with 1:03 left to play. Two big plays; Salazar to Anthony Jackson, senior wide receiver for 12 yards and Salazar to Ocran for 11 yards put the Swedes at McPherson's 29-yard line.
With one play left on the clock it came down to the leg of James Augusta, junior kicker, as the Swedes set up for a 46-yard field goal. His attempt was good as the clock struck zero and the Swedes were victorious.
The Details . . .
Ocran led the Swedes' ground assault today with 25 carries for 49 yards and two touchdowns while Michael Wimberly, junior wide receiver, had the biggest offensive numbers. Wimberly posted 121 yards off of 10 catches with his longest being a 27-yard play. Jackson had four catches for 43 yards.
Salazar did the most damage in the quarter-back position with 164 passing yards off of 24 attempts, 13 completions and one interception. Darius Handcox, senior quarterback, threw for 78 yards on eight completions out of 13 attempts and no interceptions.
Chris Owens, junior defensive back, was Bethany's defensive leader with 15 tackles, six being solo efforts and one interception. Jau'marl Clark, freshman linebacker, was the other Swedes to reach double-digit tackles with 10 total. Four Swedes broke up passes and the Swedes had five tackles for loss, which totaled up to 16 yards lost.
Augusta punted the ball six times for 228 yards averaging 38 yards a punt. He averaged 64.3 yards on his three kickoffs. This equaled out to 193 yards and two touchbacks. Augusta attempted two field goals, missing the 37-yarder early but making the 46-yard game winning field goal.
This game signifies the last to be played in a Bethany uniform for several seniors and they are not likely to forget it anytime in the near future.
- #RockarStockar -