ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- A week removed from their first win in program history, the Midway sprint football team returned to action on Saturday (Sept. 24) when they looked to move to 2-0 when they traveled to St. Louis for a matchup against Fontbonne (Mo.).
The Eagles scored a touchdown with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter to take a 13-12 advantage, but the Griffins scored in the final seconds of the third quarter to regain the lead before hanging on for a 20-13 victory.
Fontbonne, who improved to 2-0 overall and 2-0 within the Midwest Sprint Football League, would take a 12-0 lead into the locker room after holding Midway's offense in check in the first half.
Midway's defense forced a punt on Fontbonne's opening drive of the second half, but a muffed punt gave the ball back to the Griffins on the Midway 6-yardline. The home team looked destined to go up three scored until Midway's defense made a big-time play.
On 3rd-and-goal from the five, Savion Lyle-Burney caught an interception five yards deep in the endzone and instead of taking a knee, the freshman from Clarksville, Tenn. returned it 105 yards for a pick six cutting the deficit in half to 12-6. The pick six was the first in program history and the first defensive score in program history.
After Midway's defense made a couple more stops, the offense put together their best drive of the game. Connor Baker (Hodgenville, Ky.) orchestrated a 10-play, 61-yard drive that resulted in a 13-yard touchdown reception by Dameon Miller (Plainfield, Ind.) that gave Midway a 13-12 lead.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, the lead was short lived after the Griffins responded with a 7-play, 72-yard touchdown drive that saw them regain a 20-13 advantage.
Midway would have possession a couple of times in the fourth quarter but failed to mount a game-tying drive as Fontbonne held on for the 20-13 victory.
Baker finished the game going 11-for-27 for 91 yards. Rudy Loomis (Maple Shade, N.J.) was his top target, making three catches for 46 yards. Midway's offense mustered just 76 yards of total offense compared to 338 yards of total offense by the home team.
Noah Watson (Hendersonville, Tenn.) led the defensive effort with nine total tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. Ben Jones (Blountstown, Fla.) and Josiah Sander (Falcon, Colo.) each added six tackles, while Sander added an interception.
The story of the game, however, was the penalties. The two squads combined for 38 penalties for 385 yards. Fontbonne had 21 for 248 yards, while the Eagles had 17 for 137 yards.
Midway (1-1, 1-1 MSFL) is set to return to action on Saturday (Sept. 30) when they host Bellarmine (Ky.) for their home opener. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET at Western Hills High School in Frankfort.
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