Missouri Valley missed several opportunities to add points in the second half, as the Vikings fell 9-7 at the hands of Missouri Baptist during Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 25.
The Vikings’ only points of the game came off a fumble that Octavious Griffin forced at the Vikings’ seven yard line to squelch the Spartans’ opening drive. The Vikings went 97 yards in 16 plays, capped by an 11-yard pass from Tomele Staples to Eddie Strong. The Spartans responded with a pair of field goals from Ian Zohner, including his first from 52 yards. The Vikings had a chance to extend the lead just before half, but Bruno Kincaid’s 55-yard field goal attempt fell short. Valley also had Kincaid attempt a 57-yarder on the first drive out of the locker room, with that one also falling short.
The Vikings defense struck on the next drive, as Jayson Williams intercepted Jacob Jones. Despite a pass interference penalty advancing the Vikings to midfield, a sack on third down stalled their drive. The Spartans would take the lead on the following drive, with Zohner’s third field goal of the day coming with 11 minutes left on the clock. Williams would pick off Jones again, and the Vikings would drive quickly, but a personal foul penalty would cause the Vikings to have first and goal from the 21, ultimately resulting in Silas Morton falling a yard short of paydirt on fourth down. Baptist would then run out the clock to wrap up their second win of the season.
Staples went 19-for-28 for 186 yards, with Adonis Whitley his top target, completing six catches for 75 yards. Morton carried the ball 18 times for 57 yards to lead Valley’s rushing game. Despite the two picks, Jones went 16-for-30 on the day for 177 yards, with 101 of those hauled in by Nick Watkins. Lionel Banks ran 24 times for 130 yards.
Valley were ultimately done in by penalties, losing 94 yards on eight flags, compared to just five for Missouri Baptist totaling 42 yards. Four of their drives ended up in punts, compared to one for Missouri Baptist.
The loss sends Valley to 3-4 overall, still winless in the Heart of America South. Next weekend, the Vikings travel to Atchison to face Benedictine. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
Other football scores from Saturday:
Baker 42, at Central Methodist 3
at Benedictine 78, William Woods 3
William Penn 45, at Clarke 21
St Ambrose 47, at Culver-Stockton 14
Grand View 38, at Mid-America Nazarene 28
Graceland 31, at Peru State 19
Emporia State 31, at Central Missouri 27
at McKendree 54, Lincoln 48
at Quincy 31, Missouri S&T 30
Missouri Western 19, at Missouri Southern 12
at Northwest Missouri 14, Nebraska Kearney 0
Truman 27, at Southwest Baptist 16
Upper Iowa 28, at William Jewell 10
Gardner-Webb 48, at Lindenwood 20
at Tennessee Tech 42, Southeast Missouri 23