ST. LOUIS - Missouri Baptist Football claimed a homecoming victory for the second consecutive year, this time denying Mount Mercy the opportunity to earn win number one for their program.
Compared to the eventual result, the opening quarter told a completely different story. The Mustangs, in just their fourth game as a program, received the opening kickoff, beginning to work from their own 23-yard line. MMU would follow their initial game plan precisely, leading an 11-play drive, highlighted by a 30-yard pass from quarterback Alex Estrada and a four-yard rushing touchdown from Trey King Jr.
The Spartans would attempt to fight back, putting together their own 11-play drive, six of which included running back Elijah Stevens. Such an attempt did eventually fall short, concluding with a Justin Sharkey punt.
After two long drives, the second quarter was already upon the two squads. Mount Mercy's second drive was unlike the first, with the offense stalling at their own 41-yard line. An attempt at a punt to send the ball back to MBU would go devastatingly wrong, though. The snap soared over the head of punter Brady Riedemann, who, in order to avoid a scoop-and-score, kicked the ball into the end zone. Such a play resulted in a safety for Missouri Baptist, putting the Spartans on the scoreboard.
The second quarter would continue with an entertaining theme, witnessing scores on four of five drives to finish. Mount Mercy responded to their error with a rushing touchdown from Darrell Michael Jean, this time bolstered by 36-yard Jon Jon Howard reception.
In MBU's following drive, Zay Hamilton made sure to outshine the opposition, hauling in a reception from young quarterback Mikey Gow for 38 yards, setting up Sharkey for a 37-yard field goal.
Back-and-forth as the second quarter was, Estrada and the Mustangs extended their lead with a third rushing touchdown from 28 yards out, leaving the Spartans with just 20 seconds on the clock.
It was Zae Jones and the special teams unit that created another scoring opportunity for Missouri Baptist with a 43-yard kick return. In his first appearance as a Spartan, Gow earned his stripes after a pass to Jared Steward and the following 17-yard strike to Jordan Johnson across the middle for MBU's first touchdown of the evening. Entering the half, the score was in favor of MMU, 21-12.
The second half was dominated by Missouri Baptist on both ends of the field. Beginning with the ball, Gow and Stevens rushed their way into Mustang territory, combining for 57 yards on the ground. Soon after, Gow turned to his new favorite red zone target, finding Johnson at the front left pylon of the end zone, the receiver making a professional effort to keep his hands under the ball, scoring his second homecoming touchdown.
Late in the third quarter, the Spartans decided it was time for some trickery. After driving to the MMU 21-yard line, Gow threw a backwards pass to a motioning Steward. The wide out, despite briefly dropping the ball, turned and unloaded a pass to Hamilton, who stood wide open in the end zone behind the confused Mustang defense.
MBU drove their way across the goal line one final time on the night as Tommy Gibbar plowed in for a two-yard score. The Mustangs were be unable to find pay dirt again, thanks in part to a Jaylon Williamson interception. In the end, Missouri Baptist capped homecoming festivities with a determined victory over Mount Mercy, 33-21.
After watching the team's first two drives from the sideline, Mikey Gow was a man on a mission at quarterback. The freshman threw for 159 yards and two touchdowns, adding 57 yards on the ground.
Zay Hamilton paced an even distribution among wide receivers with three catches for 70 yards. Elijah Stevens took just 8 rushing attempts for 67 yards, averaging 8.4 yards per carry.
The defense, which stiffened up in the second half, was led by Evan DeWilde and Cade Biedscheid, each with seven tackles. David Cooper V and Logan Wells both sacked the quarterback once, and, despite not earning a sack himself, Brach Carrington harassed Mustang quarterbacks the entire night, ending with four quarterback hurries.
Sitting at 2-2, Missouri Baptist Football has the benefit of an extra week to enjoy the homecoming victory. The Spartans will return from their bye week in a clash with (RV) MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan. on Saturday, October 10th at 1 p.m.
