Despite Tough Senior Day Loss; Football Eyes Playoff-Bound Showdown

Lamoni, IA – On an overcast, rainy afternoon at the Jenner Sports Complex, the Graceland University Yellowjackets (7-3, 5-0 HAAC North) fell to the Missouri Baptist Spartans (6-3, 3-2) in a hard-fought 32-20 contest. The matchup, which marked Senior Day and the final home game of the season, ended with a series of momentum shifts that ultimately favored the visiting Spartans, leaving Graceland to reflect on missed opportunities ahead of next week's pivotal clash.

The Yellowjackets started strong, showcasing their offensive potential early. Quarterback Cade Ross connected with wide receiver Gerald Monroe on the first play from scrimmage for a 41-yard touchdown strike, setting an aggressive tone. Despite a botched hold on the extra point, Graceland seized a 6-0 lead just 14 seconds into the game.

Missouri Baptist countered with a steady drive that culminated in a 27-yard field goal by kicker Jonah Cox, cutting into Graceland's lead to 6-3 by the midpoint of the first quarter. The second quarter saw a sequence of defensive prowess from the Spartans, highlighted by a safety on a high snap that sailed over punter Parker Kerf's head, edging them closer at 6-5.

Graceland responded with a 1-yard quarterback keeper by Ross, capping a 37-yard drive and extending its lead to 13-5 after Jacob Collett's successful PAT. However, the Spartans managed to close the half with a 29-yard field goal by Cox, cutting the lead to 13-8 as the two teams headed into the locker room at intermission.

In the third quarter, Graceland looked to pull away with another Ross-to-Monroe connection, this time for a 15-yard touchdown, finishing an 89-yard drive. Collett's extra point was successful, making it 20-8. Yet, Missouri Baptist's resilience shone through as they clawed back into the game. Cox nailed his third field goal of the day, and a subsequent 1-yard touchdown run by Lionel Banks, coupled with a failed two-point attempt, narrowed Graceland's lead to 20-17 heading into the final stanza.

The fourth quarter unraveled for the Yellowjackets, starting with a 9-yard touchdown run by Banks to shift the lead to Missouri Baptist for the first time, 24-20. A second bad snap of the afternoon in the punt formation led to a safety, pushing the Spartans' advantage to 26-20. With less than a minute remaining, Missouri Baptist's Lee Levingston sealed the win with a dramatic 100-yard interception return for a touchdown following a Graceland drive that had reached deep into Spartan territory. The final whistle sounded with a 32-20 score and the Yellowjackets' first home loss of the season.

Reflecting on the contest, Graceland head coach Pat Ross stated, "Missouri Baptist played a really good game. We had trouble getting into a rhythm on offense. We only possessed the ball for 14 minutes the entire afternoon. We live and die with our style of football." Graceland's 14:50 of possession starkly contrasted with Missouri Baptist's dominating 44:39, emphasizing the challenges the Yellowjackets faced in sustaining offensive momentum.

Key Performances and Statistics

• Gerald Monroe led Graceland's receiving corps with an impressive 150 yards on 7 receptions, scoring twice.
• Cade Ross completed 12 of 31 passes for 206 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
• On the ground, Jamon McGlory managed 39 yards on 15 carries, but the team collectively struggled, amassing only 39 net rushing yards.
• The defense, led by Jacob Morales (11 total tackles and 1.5 TFLs) and Dolyal Bickham (10 total tackles, including three sacks), applied pressure but couldn't hold off the Spartans' balanced attack.

For Missouri Baptist, Lionel Banks proved instrumental, rushing 33 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns, while kicker Jonah Cox contributed 10 points, including three successful field goals.

Eyes on the Prize: HAAC North Championship Game

Despite the disappointment, the Yellowjackets' postseason hopes remain intact. Graceland will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, for its final regular-season game next Saturday, where they will face off against the No. 2 ranked Grand View University. Both teams enter the matchup with identical 5-0 records in the HAAC North, with the winner securing an automatic berth in the NAIA playoffs.

The stakes could not be higher for the Yellowjackets. Turning the page from today's loss will be vital, and preparation will be crucial as Graceland looks to rebound and execute a disciplined, possession-focused strategy to counter Grand View's explosive offense.

With an automatic bid on the line, Graceland's seniors will have one final opportunity to leave their mark in a defining game.

Looking Ahead

The Yellowjackets will need their stars, including Cade Ross and Gerald Monroe, to maintain offensive consistency, while defensive standouts like Kevin Orange Jr. and Charles Phoenix must anchor the unit against Grand View's aggressive attack. A disciplined performance, limiting penalties, and winning the turnover battle will be vital in next week's game.

Kickoff is set for noon in Des Moines next Saturday in GU's regular-season finale.

For more information on Graceland football and all Yellowjacket athletics, please visit GUjackets.com.