Success for the Warriors on Senior Day

Sterling, Kan. - On a day that was filled with rain, cold weather, and a few lighting delays, the Warriors took on the Spires from the University of Saint Mary.  With both teams looking for their first win in the Bissell division, it looked like it was going to be a hard-fought game.

Before the game, the Warriors celebrated 17 seniors for all their hard work and dedication over their time here in Sterling. Although the weather was not in the best of conditions, families from all over the country came and celebrated Warrior football. Starting Senior day off with a bang, Senior WR T.C. Smith scored his first touchdown of the day with a 10-yard rushing touchdown within the first 6 minutes of the game. The Spires fought back on their next drive scoring a touchdown just two minutes later bringing the score to 7-7.

The Warriors were not done scoring in that quarter just yet. Patrick Clarkston Jr. rushed for a 9-yard touchdown with 4:51 left in the first quarter. Finally, with less than a minute left in the quarter, Smith rushed for a 13-yard touchdown to bring the score 20-7 going into the second quarter.  Scoring slowed to a halt in the second quarter, but bringing a great first half to a close, Luis Franco made a 41-yard field goal to make the score 23-7 in favor of the Warriors going into halftime.

Saint Mary came out with a bang to start the second half and scored a 35-yard field goal. Just a few minutes later also scored a 57-yard rushing touchdown. With three minutes left to go in the third quarter, the Warriors remained scoreless until Kendrick Bell rushed for a 16-yard touchdown to bring the score back in the Warrior's favor, 30-16.

In the last quarter, Franco made a 35-yard field goal to complete the scoring for the Warriors in the game. The Spires tried to crawl their way back into the game with two more touchdowns, but it was already too late as the Warriors ran the clock out. The final score was 33-30.

Along with Smith's two touchdowns, he also rushed for 51 yards and received 22 yards on one attempt. Bell rushed for 41 yards with a long of 16 yards. Rocklin Baptista passed for 89 yards and rushed for 37 yards himself. Mason Cobb punted twice this week averaging 41 yards per kick. Franco scored a total of 9 points for the Warriors on his Senior day, going 2 for 2 on field goals and 3 for 4 on extra points. His exemplary work earned him the honor of KCAC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Defensively, Zion Marshall had an interception and returned it 35 yards, and he followed that with 2 tackles. Diego Moran led the Warriors in tackles with a total of 12, with Blake Montgomery following closely behind with 11 tackles and a forced fumble.

The Warriors will travel to Kansas City, Missouri Saturday to take on the Eagles of Avila University at 1:00 PM. With the win this weekend, the Warriors are now 2-7 on the season and 1-2 in the Bissell division.

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.