Warrior Football Struggles to Keep Up with Top-Tiered Eagles

Kansas City, Mo.-Warrior football made the long trip to Kansas City to take on Avila University for another KCAC Conference matchup. The Warriors (0-4,0-4) were seeking their first win under the new regime and Avila (4-1,4-1) was looking to keep pace with the top of the conference.

Sterling kicked off to start the game and got a quick three and out for the Eagles. After a short 25 yard punt, Sterling took over with good field position at their own 39 yard line. On their first offensive play, the Warriors went for a 61-yard strike. Drew Ellis received the ball on a sweep, stepped back as the defensive secondary came up to stop the run and Ellis fired the ball downfield to a wide open David Timmons for the score. Sterling led early 7-0 after Luis Franco converted the PAT.

The rest of the game seemed like an uphill battle for the Warriors. Penalties played a big role in the struggles by the Warriors. They had 9 penalties for 85 against the Eagles and when you add 4 sacks to the mix, it is hard to get things going. After another three and out, Avila scored on their next two possessions, the second of which came off of an unfortunate turnover for the Warriors. The PAT was missed on Avila's second score and at the end of the first quarter, Sterling found themselves down 13-7.

The first two possessions of the second quarter ended in scores for Avila and Sterling had a three-play possession in between. Sterling was very quickly in a 27-7 hole. Sterling was able to get something going on their next possession relying on the legs of Daniel Doriscar. Starting at their own 25, Daniel Jackson found TC Smith and Timmons once again to overcome an early possession loss of yardage play. Doriscar put in a few good runs on the possession and eventually took one to the house on an 18-yard scamper for the score. It was Doriscar's first TD of the season. Franco, once again, was good on the PAT. Sterling was once again within range trailing by just 13, 27-14. The final score of the half was an Avila 29-yard field goal that made the halftime score 30-14.

Avila scored two times in the third quarter. The first was on a sustained drive that started their own 20 and the second came off of an interception that gave the Eagles a short field and a quick score. Just like that, the lead ballooned to 44-14 and that's where it stayed until time expired.

Daniel Jackson with 16-32 for 126 yard and 3 INT's. Drew Ellis contributed the one pass that was completed for the 61 yard score on the first Warrior play of the game. Daniel Doriscar put in another solid rushing performance carrying the ball 10 times for 93 yards and a TD, just missing the elusive 100 yard game. David Timmons was the big play guy at wide receiver catching 4 passes for 95 yards, including the 61 yard TD reception from Ellis. Franco was 2-2 on PAT's and Mason Cobb punted the ball 8 times averaging 39.4 yards per punt.

Defensively, Clinton Reese Jr had the standout game collecting 13 tackles including a half of a sack and a tackle for loss. Kendrick Bell was able to get some pressure in the backfield going for 1.5 sacks and 2 tackles for loss. Sterling's secondary was active breaking up 3 passing plays on the day.

Next up for Sterling is a home game against Bethany College on Saturday, October 8, at 1:30 pm. If you plan on coming out, note the start time is 1:30 due to Homecoming activities going on and it will not be the normal 1 pm start.

Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.