The Grand View football program (4-2, 3-0 MSFA) has made huge strides and had some memorable moments in only their second year. However, the Vikings have had none as exciting as Saturday afternoon's homecoming victory over Mid-States Football Association conference foe William Penn University. With just under 30 seconds remaining in the contest and the score knotted at 17, William Penn lined up for a game winning field goal. Grand View's special team unit rushed the middle of the Statesmen line and junior linebacker E.J. Peterson blocked the kick. The kick was recovered by senior Brandon Howard, who ran away from everyone to put the Vikings up for good, 24-17.
The first quarter of the afternoon saw both teams trade possessions, but not putting any points on the scoreboard. The Vikings best chance came in their first possession of the quarter. A pair of runs and a complete pass from quarterback Taylor Bennett to Nick Eaton marched Grand View down to the William Penn 25 yard line. An offside penalty and an incomplete pass stalled the drive at the 30 yard of William Penn and led to a punt from Trace Bell.
The third possession for Grand View led in their first score of the day. The drive saw talented sophomore running back Daryl Ford carry eight times. The final carry of the drive by Ford came on a short one yard with 9:28 on the clock. The ensuing kickoff by Grand View's Blake Steil was returned by Andrew Harris. Harris returned the ball 17 yards to the William Penn 25, where Titus Bland stripped the ball after a big hit. The fumble was recovered by the Vikings and three plays later, Blake Steil connected on a 37 yard field goal.
The next Statesmen miscue came with 2:47 on the clock in the second quarter when William Penn quarterback Ryan Van Dalen fumbled the ball. The fumble bounced directly into the arms of Grand View's Jarre McIntyre who ran the ball the next six yards for the final Viking score of the half. William Penn was able to answer that score with a field goal on their next possession with eight seconds remaining on the clock.
In a game of two halves, the second half saw the Vikings miscues result in William Penn points. The fourth quarter saw the Statesmen drive the length of the field on a stingy Viking defense. A 49 yard completion from Van Dalen to Skyler Crouch highlighted the scoring drive. On third and goal from the one yard line, Van Dalen scored on a quarterback sneak. The score by the Statesmen moved them within seven points.
Two Grand View possessions later and in the middle of the field, Taylor Bennett was intercepted by William Penn's Domini Peace. The interception, the first turnover for Grand View, led to a six yard touchdown completion from Van Dalen to Crouch. The touchdown with 6:54 on the clock, tied the score at 17.
The Vikings took over at their own 20 yard line with just over four minutes remaining. The Vikings were held on three straight plays and forced to punt. The punt from Trace Ball was blocked by William Penn's Javaras Thomas, and recovered by the Statesmen. The blocked punt put William Penn to kick a game winning field goal from the 30 yard line with less than thirty seconds. The kick was blocked by the Vikings and the block was returned for the game winning score.
The Vikings offense was led by Ford, who finished the game with 126 yards on 31 carries and one score. Quarterback Taylor Bennett completed 11 of his 20 passes for 93 yards. Nick Eaton and Gavin Burns both caught three balls, while Dreylan Porter haled in two catches.
Grand View's aggressive and attacking defense disrupted the William Penn the entire afternoon. Despite giving over 100 yards on the ground to William Penn's Van Dalen, the Vikings defense and special teams forced four fumbles. The defense was led by E.J. Peterson's 9.5 tackles. Titus Bland finished with 8.5 tackles, including forcing a fumble and blocking a punt.
Grand View, who is undefeated in conference play and atop the standings, will go on the road next Saturday when they play at Quincy University. The Vikings will not be home until November 7th when they will host Saint Ambrose University.
