Heartbreak for Home Opener

Sterling, Kan.-The Warriors had their first game at Smisor Stadium this past weekend against the McPherson Bulldogs. After coming off a 53-3 loss against Bethel, everyone awaited to see how the Warriors were going to stand against the Bulldogs. With new talent being able to finally play after eligibility went through, the Warriors continued to be a brand-new team.

In the first half, the Warrior's offense remained scoreless for nearly 25 minutes. Down 20-0, kicker Luis Franco scored his second field goal of the season from 27 yards, finally putting the Warriors on the board. Three minutes later, the Warriors scored their first touchdown on the season on a 5-yard pass from Rocklin Baptista to Myreik Goodwin-Lagree.

This was not the last of the Warrior's offense in the first half. With one minute left in the half, Rockling Baptist threw another TD pass to Evan Richardson for a 24-yard score. At the half, Sterling found themselves down just 3 points, 20-17, to the Bulldogs, who has one of the top offenses in the country.

The third quarter was all the Warriors. With just over 2 minutes to play in the third quarter, punter Mason Cobb pinned the Bulldogs inside their own 1. On the next play, McPherson coughed up the football on a nice play by Deven Rodgers punching the ball out of the running back's hand forcing a fumble that was recovered by Dexter Walker Jr. and the Warriors. It was a 3-yard- run from Kendrick Bell that would finally put the Warriors on top for the first time, 24-20. Going into the fourth quarter it was anyone's game. Ryan Stucky would soon catch a 24-yard pass from Baptista to extend the Warrior lead to 31-20.

McPherson found the endzone just two minutes later, cutting into the Warrior's two-score lead. It was one final TD by the Bulldogs with just under 4 minutes to play in regulation that put the Bulldogs on top for good, eventually winning 34-31.  

The Warrior's defense was led by Diego Moran with 11 tackles, followed closely by Dexter Walker Jr. with 10. Flin Cameron recorded his second sack of the season. Proving himself in the secondary was Amar Smith who broke up 5 passing plays as well as recording 6 tackles.

Offensively, Baptista was 13-33 for 192 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also had two interceptions that proved costly down the stretch. Kendrick Bell had 7 carries for 36 yards and a TD. Angel Ruiz led the Warriors with 3 catches for 64. Finding paydirt in the air were Goodwin-Lagree, Stucky and Richardson.

Special teams were strong with Luis Franco going 4/4 on PAT's and 1/2 on field goals, hitting from 27 and missing from 38. Mason Cobb punted 5 times for 191 yards resulting in 1 touchback and 2 balls inside the 20, including the momentum swinging ball that was downed inside the 1. Goodwin-Lagree was also worth mentioning in punt returns averaging 26.5 yards per return, including a 39 yard return that was kept from being a punt return touchdown by a great play made by the Bulldog punter.

Sterling takes the long trip next Saturday to Evangel University, the newest addition to the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. Kickoff is slated for 6 pm in Springfield, Mo.

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.