Warriors Reclaim Watchorn-McLaughlin Trophy

FREMONT, Neb. – Returning to Heedum Field for the first time in three weeks, Midland University put together a complete performance in front of a Homecoming crowd, defeating Hastings College 26-7 on Saturday afternoon in Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). Midland recaptured the Watchorn-McLaughlin trophy with the victory, a coveted prize contested on the gridiron between the two schools since 1992. The trophy is named in honor of Don Watchorn (Midland) and Tom McLaughlin (Hastings), former coaches and administrators at the two institutions.

Hastings received the opening kickoff, and Gio Mendoza returned it to the Bronco 20-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, a Carson Kudlacek pass was intercepted by Midland's Carsen Crouch at the Warrior 45-yard line. However, Midland couldn't capitalize on the turnover and was forced to punt after a three-and-out. Zach Hodge's 45-yard punt was downed at the Hastings 2-yard line. The Midland defense stepped up, forcing a Bronco punt after just one yard gained. Travon Shaw's punt traveled only 29 yards, setting up Midland at the Hastings 32-yard line. The Warriors took advantage of the short field. On the drive's third play, quarterback Jacob Jones ran the option and scored on a 21-yard run. Cameron Spicer's extra point made it 7-0 with 10:21 remaining in the opening quarter.

Hastings managed one first down on its next drive, but it soon stalled, and Shaw's 41-yard punt gave Midland possession at its own 35-yard line. After gaining only two yards, Midland punted back to the Broncos. Hastings began its next drive at its own 25-yard line, but the Warrior defense held firm again, forcing another three-and-out. Midland took over at its 20-yard line but could only gain four yards before punting back to Hastings. Hodge's 33-yard punt gave Hastings the ball at the Bronco 43-yard line. Once again, the Warrior defense delivered, forcing another Bronco punt after three plays. After a 38-yard Shaw punt, Tyson Denkert returned it one yard to the Midland 13-yard line. The quarter ended with Midland leading 7-0.

To begin the second quarter, Teryn Berry completed an 18-yard pass to Kevin Adams, Jr., moving the Warriors to the 35-yard line. Six plays later, Berry connected with Glenn Atkins III for a 28-yard gain to the Bronco 25-yard line. However, the Hastings defense stiffened, and Midland turned the ball over on downs after a failed fourth-down pass attempt. Hastings took over at its 19-yard line but quickly punted after three snaps. Shaw's 33-yard punt went out of bounds at the Midland 45-yard line. Midland failed to convert on its next drive, and Hodge's 50-yard punt resulted in a touchback. Midland's defense again forced a quick three-and-out, and Shaw's 48-yard punt went out of bounds at the Midland 25-yard line.

On the second play of the next drive, Denkert ran for 15 yards to the Midland 48-yard line. Two plays later, Berry completed a 16-yard pass to TJ Covington, moving the ball to the Hastings 35-yard line. Three plays later, Berry connected with Denkert on a middle screen for a 34-yard touchdown. Spicer's extra point made it 14-0 with 1:51 left in the half.

Hastings moved the ball to its 32-yard line on the next drive, but a punt gave Midland the ball back at its own 1-yard line after a 62-yard Shaw punt. Two incomplete passes later, the half ended with Midland ahead 14-0.

The second half began with Denkert returning the kickoff 21 yards to the Midland 23-yard line. On the first play, Berry hit Covington for a 55-yard gain to the Hastings 35-yard line. Two plays later, Berry found Atkins III for a 13-yard completion to the Bronco 20-yard line. The drive stalled, but Spicer kicked a 27-yard field goal to make it 17-0 with 11:18 left in the third quarter.

Hastings responded quickly. Two plays into the next drive, Kudlacek completed a 67-yard touchdown pass to Quaesean Hill. Xander Salyers' extra point cut the lead to 17-7 with 10:38 left in the third.

Midland began its next drive at its own 30-yard line, but after a few plays, the drive stalled. Hodge's 37-yard punt was downed at the Hastings 6-yard line. Hastings lost four yards over its next three plays and punted back to the Warriors. Shaw's 43-yard punt was returned by Denkert 11 yards to the Hastings 34-yard line. Denkert continued to shine, carrying the ball 12 yards to the Bronco 22-yard line. A Hastings pass interference penalty gave Midland the ball at the 6-yard line. Two plays later, Jacob Jones scored his second touchdown of the game, this time on a 3-yard carry. Spicer's extra point attempt bounced off the upright, leaving Midland ahead 23-7 with 3:50 remaining in the quarter.

Hastings put together a 10-play drive on the ensuing possession but failed to score, punting the ball back to Midland. Shaw's punt was downed at the Midland 5-yard line, and the third quarter ended with Midland leading 23-7.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Denkert broke free for a 26-yard run to the Midland 31-yard line. After two false starts and a two-yard loss, Berry connected with Denkert for a 30-yard completion to the Midland 49-yard line. A few plays later, Berry found Tae Marks for a 12-yard gain, setting up a first down at the Hastings 30-yard line. The drive stalled, but Spicer nailed a season-best 47-yard field goal, extending the lead to 26-7 with 5:46 left.

Hastings began its next drive at its 32-yard line, but on the first play, Kudlacek was sacked by Jason Walker, who forced a fumble that was recovered by Prince Okorie at the Bronco 32-yard line. Midland moved the ball to the Bronco 5-yard line, but Berry's pass was intercepted by Colton Marsh at the goal line and returned to the 23-yard line. On Hastings' next drive, Kudlacek was sacked again, this time by Braxton Bates, who forced another fumble, recovered by Aaron Niebur at the Bronco 27-yard line. Midland ran out the clock to seal the 26-7 victory.

Head coach Jeff Jamrog was pleased with the team's performance. "I feel we played an all-around solid game today. Offense, defense, and special teams all executed well. I'm happy for the players to get their hands back on the trophy and enjoy this win."

Midland running back Tyson Denkert praised the offensive line. "I felt the O-line did a good job of opening up holes. We were able to be creative with the offense today, and it was great to get the win in front of our fans on Homecoming."

Midland has now won four straight games. The Warriors rushed 42 times for 174 yards and completed 18-of-33 passes for 251 yards, finishing with 425 yards of total offense on 75 plays.

Hastings carried the ball 27 times for 38 yards and completed 12-of-21 passes for 123 yards. The Broncos ran 48 plays for 161 yards.

For Midland, Teryn Berry completed 18-of-32 passes for 251 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Tyson Denkert carried the ball 25 times for 121 yards, while Jacob Jones rushed nine times for 43 yards and two touchdowns. TJ Covington caught five passes for 77 yards, and Denkert hauled in four passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Braxton Bates led the Warriors with five tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. Carsen Crouch had four tackles and an interception. Jason Walker contributed three tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble, while Prince Okorie and Aaron Niebur each recovered a fumble.

For Hastings, Carson Kudlacek completed 11-of-20 passes for 114 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He also led the Broncos in rushing with 12 carries for 18 yards. Quaesean Hill caught two passes for 69 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Jayden Roberts and Jake Lambert each recorded 15 tackles, while Colton Marsh had four tackles and an interception.

Midland (5-3, 4-3 GPAC) has a bye next weekend before returning to action on Saturday, November 2, when they face Mount Marty in Yankton, South Dakota. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Crane-Youngworth Field.