Vikings' upset bid ruined by Lindenwood

Sophomore Josh A. Reid (16) fights for a first down to help set up the Vikings' first score against Lindenwood. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Until there were 20 seconds remaining, it seemed likely the post-game celebration by the purple-clad would continue long into the night.

However, there was good reason third-ranked Lindenwood was the pre-season favorite to win the Heart of America Conference championship. The Lions showed their explosiveness throughout the contest, but assaulted the Vikings' vaunted defense with technical precision on that last drive to beat No. 13 Missouri Valley, 45-37.

The game began and ended with touchdowns, senior Roren Thomas returning the opening boot 85 yards for Lindenwood and MVC junior Sam Toomer going 101 yards as the final gun sounded. In between, there was compelling football.

Following the Lions' lead-off shot, Valley put together an eight-play, 56-yard drive which ended with a 14-yard run by junior Sterling Hardin. Junior Paul Wayne Thomas' two-point conversion run gave the Vikings an 8-7 lead, but not for long.

On the first play of the ensuing drive, freshman Denodus O'Bryant broke off a 68-yard dash. Again, the Vikings ground their way back, going 47 yards on 14 plays to set up senior Adrian Trevino's 25-yard field goal.

Junior Scott Humphrey went 56 yards with a pass from junior Chris White to give Valley a chance to take the lead with first down and goal at the Lions' 1-yard line, but Hardin dropped the ball on the next play.

A 91-yard TD pass to senior Rudy Fleming was partially called back on a penalty, but junior Phillip Staback then found sophomore Matt Angell for a 45-yard score to make it 21-11.

White hooked up with junior Darrell Madry twice for 29 yards, with a 15-yard facemask flag added on. Madry caught a 3-yard flip to close the margin to three points.

The Vikings had another chance to take the lead before halftime, White completing five of seven passes. However, Hardin was stripped of the ball on the last one by senior Brandon Gould, who ran it back 70 yards to the Valley 5.

Lindenwood was held out of the end zone, but senior Halley Ferrell's 18-yard kick was good for a 24-18 halftime lead.

The Vikings began the second half with an 11-play, 74-yard series, White completing five more passes -- including a 5-yard toss to Humphrey for a 25-24 lead.

Later in the frame, senior Marcel Thompson took a flat pass 69 yards for a score, but Valley regained the edge on White's 33-yard bullet to senior Jacob Cahill with 10:09 left in the game.

A sack by senior Merlin Benefield ended one LU series and senior Colin Smith's interception at the Vikings' 22-yard line held the Lions off again.

However, with Valley down to its third-string tailback, it wasn't able to move the ball on the ground. Lindenwood took over on its 31 with 1:49 to go.

On fourth down and 8 yards to go, Staback found Angell for 13 yards and sophomore Daniel Ortega ran for 12 yards. Fleming had a 14-yard reception and, with 20 seconds remaining, senior Matt Bramow hauled in Staback's 18-yard pass for the go-ahead score.

The Vikings' last chance ended when a shotgun snap sailed into the end zone, where it was recovered by senior T.J. Prell for the Lions. Toomer's TD kick return only gave the home crowd a final cheer.

Staback threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns to lead Lindenwood (3-0, 3-0 HAAC), but was out-gained by White -- completing 29 of 43 attempts for a career-high 385 yards.

As MVC head coach Paul Troth said going into this highly-touted showdown, "nothing will be decided," although it can be concluded that the Lions have among the most talented squads the league has seen in several years and Valley (2-1, 2-1) can play on that level.

Now the Vikings need to win, and keep winning -- starting Saturday with a tough road game at Benedictine -- to make the NAIA playoffs for the third time in four years.