‘Stangs end with 10-2 record after heartbreak loss to Lindenwood, 34-31     Photos of the Morningside-Baker Playoff game by Nick Buth Photos: Joe Don Hunter (1), (2), (3), Blake Anderson, Beau Kildow By Ashley Catchpole The word “heartbreaking” doesn’t begin to describe the emotion that lingered on the field at Elwood Olsen Stadium last Saturday. The Morningside football team suffered a 34-31 loss to Lindenwood University in the NAIA quarterfinals. The home side of the stadium was filled with Morningside fans, who were cheering for a comeback as they tried to stay warm on a very chilly day. Morningside was hoping for overtime as Tyler Childress rushed from a touchdown to bring the score from 31-24 Lindenwood, to an even tie at 31 apiece. Leaving less than a minute on the clock. Lindenwood used only 34 seconds of game clock to mount their win and the wings of quarterback Ben Kisner. He launched two passes for over 30 yards each, to move the ball quickly up the field and set up the game-winning field goal by Halley Ferrell. The final score would be 34-31, which is ironically the same score as Morningside’s only other loss which was to Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls won their quarterfinal match-up and will host the St. Francis Cougars on Saturday, December 6. Mustang Senior Quarterback Ian Gilworth threw for 320 yards, completing 27 of 34 passes. This was only the second game this season in which Gilworth didn’t throw a touchdown pass. Gilworth finishes his Morningside career as the GPAC offensive player of the year. Beau Kildow led the team in receiving yards with 115 yards and seven catches. Senior Blake Anderson pulled in eight catches for 104 yards. The run game was key for Morningside. Joe Don Hunter ran and hurdled for 137 yards in 24 carries. The defensive leaders for Morningside were Aaron Klein and Brett Nikolite. Klein finished the last game of his Morningside career with 15 tackles and Nikolite finished with 13. The turnovers Lindenwood created were really the turning points in the game as Morningside fumbled the ball three times and lost two of them. Coach Steve Ryan credited Lindenwood’s offensive line with preventing Morningside from creating turnovers. “I think they did a fantastic job of protecting the quarterback.” Finishing the season at 10-2, Coach Ryan was very pleased with the way the Mustangs played this season. “Once I got past this last game and reflected on the season, I know I coached a group of guys with great character who are just great people to be around. Our seniors will be greatly missed.” (Dec. 5)       Sports Home