Graceland Tops Avila 26-20 on Senior Day
Lamoni, IA - The Graceland Yellowjackets felled the Eagles of Avila University 26-20 for an emotional Senior Day victory to close GU's home schedule.
The Jackets trailed by one at halftime to the Eagles, though Graceland's offense showed serious life, dominating the time of possession in the first half. The Yellowjackets saw a pair of promising drives bog down in the red zone as the second quarter concluded. Nonetheless, the GU squad entered halftime on even footing with their guests' momentum.
Graceland came out in the second half and took a quick lead on a pair of Anthony Wood field goals, his third and fourth of the afternoon. The Jacket defense rose to the challenge of an outstanding Avila running attack led by Harley Kreisman, and swarmed to ball, creating turnover after turnover as the game proceeded. The GU defense finished with a trio of fumble recoveries and three interceptions, including a game clinching pick by Jake Hendricks killed the last gasp of the Eagle offense as it drove down the field.
"Their lineman was about to cut [block] me, and I dropped into coverage," explained Hendricks. "I saw the quarterback look at the flat, and I jumped it. It was an amazing feeling to seal this game for us and to get these seniors a win."
The Jackets had returned to the lead on a Matt Fink pass to Nicholas Gaitan, to put the Jackets up 26-20. Gaitan, a senior, had the game of his life on Saturday, with five receptions for 101 yards and the touchdown.
"I am so happy for our guys," said Gaitan. "It has been a season of ups and downs for us, but we came out prepared and focused today. It feels good that Senior Day will be my career-defining game, and that it helped us come away with the win."
Fink finished 20-33 for 287 yards and a pair of touchdowns to offset an interception. Defensively, Dirinna Uwakwe led the charge for GU with a five solo and five assisted tackles. Billy Wendt put in four solo tackles and six assists. Dorian Smith and Donte Wright joined Hendricks in picking off Avila's Jacob Hicks, as Wright also contributed five solo tackles to the effort. Hendricks also fell on a fumble in the win, as did teammates Darius Dickerson and Kenny Newman.
"We have faced a lot of adversity as a team in the last week and a half," said Coach Jeff Douglas. "For me, this win is all about the guys, and the heart, resolve and sheer effort they showed today. Our defense bent but did not break, and we made plays to get turnovers when they counted most
"I am excited for a chance to have a plus-.500 record, but more importantly, I believe that we are demonstrating that, as a program, Graceland is heading in the right direction," added Douglas.
The Jackets are now 5-5 overall and 4-4 in conference play. The team will travel to Baldwin City, Kansas to finish out the season against HAAC rival #13 Baker University.
Stay tuned to GUjackets.com for continuing coverage of the Graceland football team and all of Jacket athletics.