A three-hour weather delay stymied the Missouri Valley Vikings, as they were shut out in the second half and allowed the William Woods Owls to come from behind in a 36-35 loss Saturday, Oct. 18 in Fulton.
Kickoff had moved up in anticipation of Saturday’s weather, with Missouri Valley’s Bruno Kincaid missing a 39-yard field goal on the opening drive. William Woods took advantage with a four-play, 78-yard drive to score first. The Vikings responded with a four-play drive of their own, capped by a 52-yard pass from Tomele Staples to Khalil White. Two more quick drives followed, with Valley taking a 14-13 lead after Bruno Kincaid converted his second point-after attempt while William Woods kicker Justin Sharkley missed his on the Owls’ second score.
The Vikings avoided disaster early in the second quarter when they lost a fumble in William Woods territory. The Owls would turn the ball back over on downs, allowing the Vikings to extend their lead, capped by a two-yard run by Silas Morton. Valley’s next drive needed just one play, a 71-yard pass from Staples to Adonis Whitley. William Woods struck back on Valley’s next drive, when the Owls blocked a punt, with Rashaan Woodland returning it 31 yards for a score. Valley would restore their double-digit lead just before the half, with Staples’ third touchdown pass of the half, connecting with Eddie Strong for 14 yards.
A scoreless third quarter was interrupted by over three hours as storms rolled in. The showers would end up washing away the Vikings’ momentum. Despite recording another fourth-down stop after the delay, the Vikings’ offense was limited to two first downs while losing a fumble on one drive, turning the ball over on downs early in the fourth quarter, and recording negative yardage on one of their three punts in the half. William Woods would capitalize, scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. A failed two-point conversion would keep Valley in the lead, but after the Vikings went three-and-out, the Owls would use up the remaining four minutes on the clock to set up a 24-yard field goal attempt. The kick was blocked by Jeremiah McNair, but he would be flagged for an offsides penalty, allowing William Woods to convert the second attempt from 21 yards out.
Staples finished 15-for-23 for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Morton led the Vikings rushing game with 187 yards on 22 carries, including a pair of touchdowns.
Saturday’s win was the first for William Woods in Heart of America Athletic Conference play. The Owls won one game in their inaugural season last year, against their crosstown rivals Westminster, who play in NCAA Division III.
The Vikings fall to 3-3 on the season, having lost both their games in Heart of America South division play. Missouri Valley will host Missouri Baptist for Homecoming next Saturday, with kickoff at 2 p.m.
Other football finals from Saturday:
Benedictine 52, at Central Methodist 7
at Baker 34, MidAmerica Nazarene 14
Culver-Stockton 28, at Clarke 21
at William Penn 48, Missouri Baptist 14
at St Ambrose 43, Graceland 36
at Washburn 37, Central Missouri 17
at Missouri Southern 24, Nebraska Kearney 16
Pittsburg State 44, at Missouri Western 20
at Northwest Missouri 52, Fort Hays State 3
at Indianapolis 62, Lincoln 7
Missouri S&T at McKendree moved to Sunday 1p
at Truman 44, Quincy 21
at Upper Iowa 39, Southwest Baptist 2
Northeastern State 35, at William Jewell 7
Tennessee Tech 52, at Lindenwood 28
at Southeast Missouri 42, Eastern Illinois 13