34-31

In the lore of the rapidly developing rivalry between GPAC football powers Morningside and Sioux Falls it will come to be known as “the drive.”
The second-ranked Cougars, forced to drive into a stiff wind, pinned on their own four-yard line, and clinging to a 34-31 lead with 9:01 left in the game, staged a meticulous 18-play, 81-yard drive to run out the clock to win Saturday’s matchup of undefeated NAIA national powers and secure their third straight GPAC championship.
Morningside will take a 9-1 record into the NAIA National Playoffs and will learn of its opening round opponent on Sunday.

The Mustangs appeared poised to snap the Cougars’ 32-game home field winning streak when they took a 31-27 lead on a six-yard touchdown run by Joe Don Hunter with 14:33 left in the game. Hunter’s touchdown capped a stretch of the game where Morningside outscored the Cougars 21-3 to battle back from a 24-10 deficit against the nation’s No. 1 defensive unit.
Sioux Falls answered with a nine-play, 70-yard touchdown march into the wind capped by a three-yard TD run by Ryan Lowmiller to regain the lead at 34-31 with 10:12 left in the contest.

It was a barn burner, excitement was all around. A stiff, freezing cold wind met the Morningside crowd head on. Many of us resorted to using unused USF seats...more room....better view...less wind....wrong side, but our hearts were still with the "dear old maroon".

It was not to be, but none the less, Morningside is still in the playoffs, moving from #4 to #6 in the rankings, and still the hosts next Saturday in Sioux City. We will meet Baker University of Kansas for the first round.

Mixed feelings all around for those of us who also love the West Lyon Wildcats. They were in the semi-finals at the Dome in Cedar Rapids, IA. As soon as the Morningside game was done, radio stations switched to accomodate the Wildcat game. The Wildcats did come out on top, so, next week when we are in the 1st round of the playoffs in Sioux City, the Wildcats will be trying to earn their 1A State Championship. Go Wildcats....Go Mustangs....Lord, keep them safe, keep all the travelers safe....thank you for our children.

Go Wildcats!!! All the way to the Championship!!!