Graceland Football Falls to Pioneers in 38-33 Shootout
OLATHE, KAN. - MidAmerica Nazarene University scored the final 14 points of the game to defeat the Yellowjackets in a heartbreaker at the Olathe District Activity Center.
Graceland received the ball to begin the game and wasted no time getting their offense going. On the opening drive, the Yellowjackets marched down the field to put together an 8-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a touchdown pass from Antoine Williams II to Cameron Richardson.
The Pioneers of MidAmerica Nazarene would answer back with a scoring drive of their own. After a long kick return, the Yellowjacket defense was able to hold MNU to just three and held on to a 6-3 lead early in the 1st quarter. After temporarily slowing down the Graceland offense, MNU would take a 17-6 lead into the second quarter.
A missed field goal attempt to begin the 2nd quarter of play by the Pioneers opened the door for Graceland. Williams II was able to connect on a deep ball to Donte Sylencieux for a 57-yard touchdown. After the made two-point conversion, the Yellowjackets were able to cut the deficit down to three.
After another defensive stop, the Williams to Sylencieux connection would continue to be deadly for the Pioneer defense. Sylencieux would score again on a great pass from Williams II. This was from 56 yards out with 6:07 left in the first half. This would give Graceland the lead back at 21-17 after a 5-play, 77-yard drive.
As if two wasn't enough, Williams and Sylencieux would hook up a third time in the end zone just before halftime. This one a 30-yard catch for Sylencieux gave Graceland a 27-17 lead. MNU would answer in the final minutes of the first half by scoring in just two plays.
Graceland led at halftime 27-24 over the Pioneers. Williams II, getting his first start, ended the first half 15 of 19 in the air with 307 yards passing and four touchdowns. Sylencieux had six catches for 199 yards and three scores. Richardson, at the break, had 9 catches for 98 yards including the game's first touchdown.
Late in the third, Graceland put together an impressive 13-play drive to take a 33-24 lead. This 94-yard drive was capped off by a Ryan Kotey touchdown catch from 29 yards out with 3:28 left in the quarter.
After being shut out in the third quarter, the MidAmerica Nazarene offense would go on to score the 14 points in the 4th, including a late score with 3:16 to play as the Graceland lead vanished.
A last chance effort for the Graceland offense fell short and the Pioneers held on to win it 38-33 in a high-powered week two game.
Graceland, now 0-2 on the young season, was impressive offensively as they compiled 496 yards of total offense. The passing game, led by quarterback Antoine Williams II, proved to be a problem for the MNU defense all day. Williams II finished the game throwing for 463 yards and 5 touchdowns. His top target, Sylencieux, ended with 238 of those yards on just 7 catches. Sylencieux also continues to be the Heart conference leader in receiving yards on the season, now with 382 yards total in the first two games.
In addition, Richardson had 120 yards receiving, and Caleb Thomas had 5 catches for 65 yards. Dyllon Mack was Graceland's leading rusher with 42 yards on 16 carries.
Tevin Cameron, the team's leading tackler, had 8 tackles in the game and two of them for loss. Willie Page had nine tackles and the lone takeaway for the Yellowjacket defense with a key 4th quarter interception in the end zone.
It was a tough loss to swallow for Graceland as they will look to bounce back at home as they host Baker University (1-1), next week with kickoff set for 6 pm.
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-Yellowjackets-