ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist Football looked like a completely different team than the last two seasons, but was not able to keep Bethel quarterback Kerry Sellers II contained. Though the Spartans recorded over 400 yards of offense, they were unable to get key stops down the stretch and dropped the first game of 2016, 64-37.
Missouri Baptist (0-1) began the season opener with a bang, and after holding the Wildcats scoreless on a fourth-and-long try deep in Spartan territory, they put the first touchdown of the season on the board in the opening drive of 2016.
Billy Ritchey got the start under center, and it was clear early that the junior from Jersyville, Ill., had a connection with freshman wide out Isaiah King. The Spartan signal-caller marched Missouri Baptist down to midfield before finding King for the first score of the season. The young receiver eluded a tackle and stormed down the sideline for a 55-yard completion to put the visitors up 6-0.
The Wildcats responded in the ensuing drive. Sellers connected with Quincy Walden for 38 yards to put his team in field goal range. Kicker Casey Kammerzell finished the job with a 30-yard field goal and cut the lead to 7-3.
The Spartans continued their success in their second drive as Ritchey continued to find King. This time, in a third and long situation deep in their own end, he found the freshman over the middle for a gain of over 33 to put Missouri Baptist back in business. Moments later, Dalton Barcom got in on the fun and recorded his first touchdown of the season, a 22-yard strike, and put his team up 14-3.
The continuation of a deep drive for the home squad resulted in the second field goal of the game in the second quarter, thanks to a big return. Walden, this time as a kick returner, returned an Alex McGlassion kickoff 64 yards to put his team back into position to score. Kammerzell poked it home from 43 yards out to make it a 14-6 contest.
Bethel threatened deep in Spartan territory on its next drive, but the Missouri Baptist defense picked-up the pace. Maleek Ross posted the first score for the defense on the season as he picked-up a loose ball and hauled it back 80 yards to the house to extend the lead to 21-6.
The Wildcats nearly punched through on a big kick return after the touchdown, but a holding call brought a big run deep into Spartan territory all the way back and away from danger.
Bethel, however, was able to break through later in the quarter. Sellers broke a tackle on a broken play on third and long, and put his team back in business.
Ayaunta Davis punched it in for the first touchdown of the day for the home team from 12 yards out to make it 21-13, before one final drive to end the half was capped by a Sellers rushing touchdown to cut the deficit to one, 21-20, to end the second quarter.
Bethel came out big in front of a rowdy home crowd to take its first lead of the game to begin the third quarter. A new philosophy out of the gate for the home team led to six consecutive plays to the ground, topped by a touchdown scamper by Octavian Burrell, put the Wildcats up 26-21.
Bethel had posted 20 unanswered points, and just as it looked as they had found their way to the driver's seat, Billy Ritchey continued an impressive game with another big strike. The junior found Shawn Calhoun on a 78-yard completion over the middle, and put the Spartans down to the Wildcat five yard line. Running back Antoryio Barton finished the job on third down with a hard-nosed run to regain the lead, 27-26.
The Wildcats again found success with the run, and took it back downfield. This time, however, the Spartan defense held the home squad on a third and goal situation and forced another Kammerzell field goal as Bethel regained the lead, 29-27.
On their next drive, the Wildcats found pay dirt again off an improbable reception. After driving Sellers out of the pocket, scrambling 15 yards deep heading toward the sideline, he chucked a ball down the sideline which tipped off a receiver and found its way into the hands of Devante Jimenez to make it a 36-27 lead for Bethel.
Just as the game has gone the entire night, another blow came from the big play offense of the Spartans. Billy Ritchey found Belleville East product Isaiah King once again for a 70-yard connection to cut the deficit to two, 36-34.
Kerry Sellers II continued to lead his team as the third quarter drew to a close for the home team. The Wildcat signal caller tossed a 47-yard pass to Vonta Owens, which set-up a Devan Raymer rushing touchdown from a yard out to begin the fourth quarter.
Ritchey answered yet again as the Spartans played right with the Wildcats in the shootout. Ritchey hit Calhoun over the middle for a 33-yard hookup and put the team deep into Bethel territory. Alex McGlassion lined-up his first field goal of the season, and cut the deficit to six with 12:41 remaining.
The Wildcats looked to Sellers yet again to put the team on his back. The Bethel quarterback used his feet on a broken play again to avoid trouble on third and long, got free to pick-up the first down in Spartan territory, and setup another score just a few moments later. Sellers took the ball on a quarterback keeper to make it a 50-37 lead for the home squad.
Bethel tacked-on two more scores into the end zone and sent their home opener crowd home happy with a 64-57 win. The Wildcats posted an impressive 44 second-half points to make, what was a close game through three quarters, look like a lopsided decision.
Missouri Baptist was led freshman receiver Isaiah King and junior quarterback Billy Ritchey. King, in just his first collegiate game, finished with five receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Ritchey completed his first season opener start in fine fashion after he went 17-29 with three touchdowns and 339 yards in the air.
With his 339 yards in the air, Billy Ritchey became the first 300-yard passer in MBU history.
Shawn Calhoun also had a career day. The sophomore from Chicago finished his night with four receptions for 111 yards.
Missouri Baptist will get a bye week to sort out a few things before getting back after it as they are set to begin a three-game home stand on Saturday, September 10 as they welcome the Siena Heights (Mich.) Saints to St. Louis. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at CBC Stadium.
