The Basics
Score: MNU 48 - Benedictine (KS) 47
Record: MNU (8-0, 4-0), Benedictine (7-2, 3-1)
Location: ODAC - Olathe, Kan.
OLATHE, Kan. – #12 MNU kept their perfect season alive with a thrilling 48-47 victory over #7 Benedictine in an intense game that went down to the wire on Saturday afternoon.
The Pioneers struck first with Adrian Parsons finding Myles Hymes for a 17-yard score, but Benedictine quickly answered and led 10-7 by the end of the first quarter. The teams traded touchdowns and field goals in a fast-paced second quarter, including a highlight 36-yard touchdown reception by EJ Rogers, tying the score at 24 heading into halftime.
After a quieter third quarter where MNU added a field goal, the fourth quarter erupted. MNU led 27-24, but the Ravens went 55 yards in just 3 plays to take a 31-27 lead. The Pioneers answered with an 8-play 75-yard drive to take a 3-point lead, then recovered the ensuing short kickoff for an unexpected onside kick. A 35-yard pass from Parsons to Hymes set up a 4-yard Cameron Finley touchdown, and the Pioneers suddenly had a 2-possession advantage. Benedictine, however, answered with a 53-yard field goal to get the deficit back to 7 with 3:25 remaining. The Ravens came up with a big 3-and-out to get the ball back, and a quick touchdown leveled the game at 41 with just under 2 minutes left.
MNU marched down the field with 3 chunk plays to get in the red zone, and with just 19 seconds left, Parsons connected with Krans for his 5th touchdown pass of the day. But the Ravens weren't done. Benedictine's JaShawn Todd returned the ensuing kickoff 79 yards for a touchdown, and the Ravens decided to go for 2.
The quarterback rolled out to the right, but his options were all cut off and the MNU defense forced a desperation heave which was knocked down, sealing the victory for MNU.
"What a huge win for our program," said head coach Paul Hansen. "Our guys played hard for sixty minutes! To get a win against a top-10 opponent is huge for us down the stretch. This win will help propel us into the postseason. I'm excited to honor our seniors next Saturday on for senior day."
Turning Point
MNU stopped Benedictine on a 2-point conversion in the final seconds to seal the game.
Individual Leaders
- Adrian Parsons: 26-40, 374 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
- Shawn Cherry: 21 carries, 73 yards
- Cameron Finley: 22 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
- EJ Rogers: 6 catches, 104 yards, 2 TDs
- Myles Hymes: 6 catches, 111 yards, 1 TD
- Gaven Krans: 5 catches, 70 yards, 2 TDs
- Kevin Ledesma-Garcia: 1 interception
Up Next
The next game is Senior Day on Saturday at home (ODAC) vs. #15 Baker (7-1, 4-1) at 1:00.
