BALDWIN CITY, KAN. - The Spartans and Wildcats squared off in the regular season finale and both defenses rose to the occasion, and Baker was able to come away with a 16-8 win after keeping the Spartans out of the end zone for 58 minutes of play.
The first quarter of the contest featured both sides going back and forth as neither team could move the ball very far and sustain a drive.
The Wildcats final possession in the first quarter resulted in a touchdown early in the second quarter to give them a 7-0 lead over the Spartans. Following a pair of three and outs by Missouri Baptist, Baker was able to tack a field goal onto their lead to make it 10-0 halfway through the second quarter.
Missouri Baptist moved the ball later in the half, but unfortunately missed a field goal that would have brought them within a score of the Wildcats.
Baker received the ball to start the second half, and they marched the ball down the field on 11 plays and ended with a field goal to make it 13-0.
The Spartans were held scoreless in the third quarter, and they were moving the ball well at the start of the fourth, but a sack ultimately ended their drive as the Baker front seven was in the backfield many times throughout the afternoon.
The Wildcats tacked on one more field goal with just under four minutes remaining to increase their lead to 16. In just a 1:47 the Spartans marched the ball 86 yards on eight plays, and Jordan Simpson hit Jayden Hines in the endzone to get on the scoreboard. Simpson rushed in the two-point conversion to make it a one score game with just under two minutes remaining.
Baker recovered the onside kick, but the Spartans forced a fast three and out and got the ball back to the offense with 1:22 left on the clock. The Spartans faced a third and 20 with little time remaining, and the Wildcats forced a fumble to end the Spartans' dreams of another comeback victory.
The Spartans fell by a score of 16-8 on the road at #12 Baker to wrap up the regular season.
Throughout the contest Simpson completed 19 passes for 226 yards and one touchdown to Hines. Lionel Banks raced up 83 rushing yards, and Joseph White hauled in nine catches for 147 yards.
Zeppelin Velder and Kaden Lutjen-Williams led the team in tackles with 12 and 10 from the secondary, respectively. Dabrein Moss also had 10 tackles throughout the contest.
The Spartans finish the regular season with a 6-4 (3-3 Heart South) record. Marking the program's most wins in its history.
Missouri Baptist Football will return to the field next fall, following this record-setting season.
