OLATHE, Kansas – No. 3 Grand View Football opened the 2023 season with a 24-7 victory over MidAmerica on Saturday in Olathe, KS.
Junior quarterback Jackson Waring completed 11 of 19 of his passes, throwing one touchdown pass to senior running back Avery Gates, Waring rushed for 78 yards and had two rushing touchdowns. Waring's long of the game was a pass to wide receiver Damon Street for the 27-yard gain.
Defensively, No. 3 Grand View forced one turnover, where junior Linebacker Nate Ewell picked one off for a return of 53 yards in the fourth quarter. Senior linebacker Tristin Waugh had a big game for the Vikings picking up where he left off last season, recording 3 sacks, 3 tackles and one pass breakup. Senior Kiaeem Mosley also impressed with 5 solo tackles and one sack. Newcomer Jaylen Perkins made his name known to Viking fans as he recorded 7 solos.
KEY STATISTICS
• The Vikings got on the board first and early as Jackson Waring rushed one in for 6 in the first quarter.
• Nathan Hamilton added a 47-yard field goal to further the Viking lead to 14-0.
• Kody Kruschwitz recorded 5 punts for an average of 45.2 yards and had 4 inside the 20.
• Nathan Hamilton was 3-3 on PATs, ranking 1st in the country.
• Tristin Waugh's 3 sacks cost the Pioneers' 16-yards and the defense forced a loss of 40 yards.
• Gates, Waring, Tyler Vitzthum, and Tim Nimley combined for 216 rushing yards to the Pioneers 63.
• Waring tallied his second career rushing touchdown to give the Vikings a 14-0 lead with three minutes remaining in the second quarter.
• Damon Street blocked the Pioneer's field goal attempt in the second quarter right before half-time to keep MidAmerica off the board.
NEXT:
The Vikings return to Des Moines to open up action at the Duke next Saturday, they will play Missouri Baptist for the first time in program history. Kick-off is slated for 12:00 p.m.
