DES MOINES, IOWA – The top-ranked Vikings hosted No. 7 seed Lindsey Wilson in the NAIA FCS Quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon at Mediacom Stadium. In a dominant performance on both sides of the ball, Grand View defeated the Blue Raiders 35-7 to improve to 12-0 and advance to the national semifinals. The victory extended the Vikings' winning streak to 26 games and marked their fourth win in five all-time postseason meetings against Lindsey Wilson.

Grand View wasted no time establishing control. After receiving the opening kickoff, the Vikings marched 77 yards in nine plays. Jackson Waring connected with Aisea Toki for 20 yards on the first play from scrimmage. Ethan Schultz broke free for a 29-yard run to the Lindsey Wilson 15, and Waring rushed for 7 yards to set up first-and-goal. Dalten Van Pelt powered in from 1 yard out at the 10:44 mark, and Cory Wood's extra point gave Grand View a 7-0 lead.

Lindsey Wilson threatened on their opening drive, moving the ball into Grand View territory. However, the Vikings' defense stiffened in the red zone and stopped the Blue Raiders on fourth down at the Grand View 35. After a blocked punt by Kenyi James gave Grand View excellent field position, the Vikings capitalized quickly. Waring found Bryant Williams for 16 yards and Triston Williams for 21 yards before scrambling 9 yards for the touchdown himself. Wood's kick extended the lead to 14-0 at the 1:05 mark of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw both defenses take control. Lindsey Wilson put together an impressive 16-play, 71-yard drive that lasted over seven minutes, but the Vikings' defense held strong inside the red zone, forcing a turnover on downs at the 7-yard line. Grand View's offense was limited in the second quarter as both teams struggled to find rhythm. The Vikings took a 14-0 lead into halftime.

The third quarter opened with Grand View receiving the kickoff and immediately asserting their dominance. After a defensive stop forced a Lindsey Wilson punt, the Vikings drove 87 yards in six plays. Bryant Williams exploded for a 28-yard run, and Waring found Lance Clayburg streaking down the sideline for a 36-yard touchdown strike at the 7:31 mark. Wood's kick made it 21-0.

Lindsey Wilson refused to go away quietly. After recovering a fumble at the Grand View 42, the Blue Raiders drove for a touchdown. A 26-yard completion set up the score, and Lindsey Wilson punched it in from 9 yards out to cut the deficit to 21-7 with just three seconds left in the third quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff, Isaac Kracl provided the play of the game. Kracl fielded the kick at the Grand View 15 and raced 85 yards untouched for a touchdown as time expired in the third quarter. The spectacular return immediately answered Lindsey Wilson's score and shut down any momentum the Blue Raiders had built. Wood's extra point pushed the lead to 28-7 heading into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter belonged to Grand View. After forcing a three-and-out, the Vikings embarked on an 8-play, 76-yard drive. Schultz ripped off a 16-yard run, and Waring converted a crucial fourth down with a completion to Peyton Goode. Williams capped the drive with a 19-yard touchdown run at the 7:57 mark. Wood's kick made it 35-7, and the Vikings controlled the clock the rest of the way.

Grand View's defense was outstanding throughout, holding Lindsey Wilson to just 224 total yards and 7 points. John Argo led the defense with multiple tackles and key stops in the red zone. Jackson Filer was dominant with multiple sacks and tackles for loss, constantly disrupting the Blue Raiders' offensive rhythm. Casey Trudo added a sack, and the Vikings' defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage all afternoon.

GAME NOTES

• Jackson Waring threw for 179 yards and 1 touchdown on 14-of-20 passing, adding 25 yards rushing and 1 touchdown
• Bryant Williams rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries (7.7 avg)
• Isaac Kracl returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown
• Lance Clayburg caught 1 pass for 36 yards and a touchdown
• Isaac Kracl was named Offensive Player of the Game
• John Argo was named Defensive Player of the Game
• Grand View improved to 12-0 and extended their winning streak to 26 games
• The Vikings advanced to the NAIA FCS Semifinals

UP NEXT
Grand View will return to the Duke to host the Benedictine College Ravens in the NAIA FCS Semifinal match-up. The Vikings will play at 12:00 PM CT on Saturday, December 13th.