The Grand View football team's six-game winning streak and perfect Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest League record came to an end Saturday at Williams Stadium in a showdown between the No. 17 Vikings (8-2, 6-0 MSFA) and the No. 9 McKendree Bearcats (8-1, 6-0 MSFA). The Bearcats' size and experience proved to be the difference in today's game as McKendree overpowered Grand View 35-17 in the MSFA title game.

A 30-yard field goal by Blake Steil put the Vikings on the scoreboard on their first possession of the game. McKendree's scored five minutes later on a one-yard run by Joe Beimfohr to take a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Bearcats started with the ball in the second quarter, but a pass by Austin Fisher was intercepted by Josh Monette on MU's sixth play of the possession. Grand View was unable to capitalize on the turnover, however, and made just four plays before returning to the ball to McKendree. GV forced the Bearcats to punt three plays later, but a pass by QB Tayllor Bennett was picked off by McKendree's Derrick Quals which led to a Bearcat touchdown by Byron Gettis from Austin and MU led 14-3 at half time.

The first possession of the second half went to McKendree who wasted no time in moving the ball down the field. Fisher connected with receiver Myron Hicks for a 20-yard TD pass and the Bearcats went up 21-3. The Vikings were forced to punt on their next possession. Eight plays later, Austin scored on a one yard quarterback keeper as MU led 28-3.

Charles made several big plays on GV's next possession including two rushes for five yards and 76 yards of complete passes to Clarence Ward, Gavin Burns, Brett Opdahl, and a TD pass Nick Eaton. The 24-yard pass to Eaton closed the gap 28-10.

The Vikings started the fourth quarter in a good note by blocking and recovering a 48 yard McKendree field goal attempt. Charles then connected with Opdahl for an 11 yard touchdown to get GV within reachable distance 28-17. The Bearcats had to punt after the next three plays, but GV was unable to use this to its advantage and came up short on its next fourth down to give McKendree the ball back. Just three plays later, the Bearcats' Chris Montgomery ran for a 55 yard touchdown and MU went up 35-17. The Vikings were unable to produce anything in its final possession of the game and McKendree ran down the final seconds of the game.

Charles finished the game 15-of-26 passing for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Nick Eaton caught seven passes for 63 yards in receiving and Brett Opdahl had 57 yards on six receptions. Daryl Ford led the Vikings in rushing with 68 yards on 14 carries.

Linebacker E.J. Peterson led the Grand View defense with seven total tackles. Tyler Andersen totaled six tackles and one sack.

The Vikings (8-3, 6-1 MSFA) will await the announcement of the postseason pairings by the NAIA tomorrow to see if their season will continue.