William Penn Takes North Division Opener 32-10
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Canton, Mo.–The Statesmen football team took a bit to wind up its engine following its bye week, but eventually took care of business with a 32-10 win over Culver-Stockton in Heart of America Athletic Conference North Division action Saturday.
WPU (5-2, 1-0 North) outgained the Wildcats (0-7, 0-1 North) by a tally of 443-177, but had to overcome four lost fumbles to run its winning streak to four games.
The visitors failed to put any points on the board in the opening quarter, but broke up the scoreless battle on the first play of the second period when Nate Van Veldhuizen (Jr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Mechanical Engineering) plunged in from one yard out for the 6-0 advantage (extra point blocked).
A punt return to the C-SC 10-yard line by Jeremiah Benson (So., Kansas City, Mo., Physical Education) set up the navy and gold in perfect position to add more points and Van Veldhuizen doubled the edge two plays later with a two-yard scoring rush just 2:26 before intermission. The junior finished with 75 rushing yards as part of a season-high 398-yard performance by William Penn.
Culver-Stockton rallied back with a field goal to make it 12-3 at halftime.
Three of WPU’s seven first-half possession ended in lost fumbles, but the Statesmen were more sure-handed after the break and extended the lead with their first drive. Ben Sherman (Fr., Troy, Pa., Elementary Education) pushed the edge to 19-3 at the 9:05 point with a 14-yard touchdown run.
William Penn then went to the air to make it 25-3 when Tyler Wood (So., Newton, Iowa, Education) hooked up with Jesse Bade (So., Genoa, Ill., Physical Education) for a nine-yard score. Wood completed three of his six passes for 45 yards.
Sherman wrapped up WPU’s scoring early in the fourth stanza with a one-yard TD rush; he ended the afternoon with 40 yards.
Carl Sivels (Sr., Washington, Iowa, Physical Education) did not find paydirt, but had a massive outing with seven carries for a team-leading 114 yards (long run of 41 yards). Brandon Polito (Sr., St. Louis, Psychology) contributed 61 rushing yards, while Grant Smallwood (Jr., Wichita, Kan., Exercise Science) ended up with 18 rushing yards and 27 receiving yards.
WPU countered their four giveaways with interceptions by Detorien Rawlinson (Fr., York, S.C., Psychology) and Rashaad Ollie (Fr., Foley, Ala., Sports Management). The interception is Ollie’s third of the season. Mason Wisse (Sr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Physical Education) headlined the defensive attack with seven tackles (one sack), while Resean Coleman (So., River Rouge, Mich., Exercise Science) managed a sack and a half; the Statesmen tallied four sacks in the victory.
“We did not start very well today, but we regrouped at halftime and played well the rest of the way,” Head Coach Todd Hafner said. “We played with much more enthusiasm and energy after the break. We will need to be prepared to come out firing on all cylinders to start the game next week. This was a good win for our team coming off our bye.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Peru, Neb. next Saturday to face Peru State in North play at 11 a.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3, KSMO, and Mediacom.
