The Basics
Score: MNU 38 - Benedictine 31
Record: MNU (9-2, 4-1), BC (8-3, 4-1)
Location: Larry Wilcox Stadium | Atchison, Kan.
ATCHISON, Kan. - The Pioneers secured a 3-way tie for the Heart South championship with a 38-31 victory over #14 Benedictine on Saturday. MNU, Baker, and Benedictine are all 4-1, and no one team beat the other two, so all have been crowed Tri-Champs of the Heart South.
The game started with back-to-back punts, and MNU found themselves backed up to their own 4-yard line. On the first play,
Adrian Parsons found
Arlandes Mitchell near midfield, and Mitchell shook the defender for an all-time MNU record 96-yard touchdown catch.
On the ensuing drive, a bad snap ended up with the Pioneers, and Mitchell found the end zone again - this time a 3-yard run - for a quick 14-0 lead. The defense forced another punt, and MNU started from their own 13. Two quick first downs put MNU on the BC 37, and Mitchell's 3rd touchdown of the quarter put MNU up 21-0.
The next 2 quarters were controlled by the Ravens as the #14-ranked team clawed back into the game. A 4th down touchdown made it 21-7, but MNU answered with a 13-play drive which ended in a
Trevor Highley career-long 49-yard field goal.
The Ravens drove for a field goal, then returned a punt 75 yards to set up a quick touchdown and a 24-17 halftime score.
Benedictine took the opening drive of the second half 69 yards in 8 plays for a game-tying touchdown, but neither team could find more points until the 4th quarter. Again starting deep in their own territory - this time the 6-yard line - the Pioneers marched 94 yards in 10 plays as Parsons found
Paul Saint Louis for a 26-yard touchdown to take the lead. The Ravens responded and got into field goal range with 7 minute left, but
Elias Carson blocked it and kept the 7-point lead.
MNU drove deep on their ensuing drive and set up for a long field goal to take a 2-score lead, but a false start pushed the Pioneers back too far and MNU had to punt. The Ravens didn't even face a 3rd down on their game-tying touchdown drive - 88 yards in 10 plays, but the Pioneers had 50 seconds and 2 timeouts left.
On 3rd and 5, Parsons connected with
EJ Rogers for 40 yards to put MNU in field goal range. But the Pioneers played it aggressively and
Myles Hymes caught a 13-yard pass over the middle for the go-ahead score.
Benedictine reached near midfield in the final seconds, but the desperation lateral play went nowhere, and MNU secured the win.
Turning Point
The 40-yard play from Parsons to Rogers set MNU up for the win.
Individual Leaders
Adrian Parsons was 27-39 for 491 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Arlandes Mitchell caught 8 passes for 197 yards and 2 touchdowns.
EJ Rogers had 7 catches for 146 yards.
Myles Hymes had 6 catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Paul Saint Louis caught 2 balls for 56 yards and a score.
Trevor Highley hit a 49-yard field goal.
Lance Jones had 10 tackles.
Elias Carson had 10 tackles and a blocked field goal. And
Jacob Tegt had 9 tackles with 2 pass breakups.
Up Next
The Pioneers are a bubble team for the 20-team NAIA playoffs. The teams will be announced Sunday at 6:00
here. Update: MNU just missed the 2023 playoffs.
