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Football Holds Off Missouri Baptist For Second Straight Win

Football Holds Off Missouri Baptist For Second Straight Win

ADRIAN, Mich. -- Wide receivers Reggie Blackmon and Damon Wright Jr. scored two touchdowns each as the Siena Heights football team claimed a 42-35 win over Missouri Baptist in Mid-States Football Association Mideast League play on Saturday at O'Laughlin Stadium.

Blackmon finished with six receptions for 84 yards and one touchdown. He also returned a punt 75 yards to paydirt, recording the longest punt return in SHU history. Wright added seven catches for 136 yards and his two scores.

Wide receiver Aaron Doriot added eight grabs for 121 yards and a TD. Curtis Smith Jr. finished with six receptions for 38 yards.

Also for the Saint offense, quarterback Nick Gilliam completed 21 of 30 passes for three TDs, three interceptions and 265 yards. Fellow QB Lucas Barner Jr. was 7 of 10 for 150 yards and a TD.

On defense, defensive back Da'vonte Price and Nate Yeloushan made eight tackles apiece. Lineman Tyaire Bragg added 3 1/2 tackles-for-loss, including 2 1/2 sacks.

Lineman Michael Vella contributed 1 1/2 sacks while fellow linemen Cohen Canter and Bobby Upshaw Jr. finished with half-sacks.

Bragg, Price and linebacker Angelo Whittis forced fumbles. Canter had a four-yard fumble return for the Saints' first fumble-return TD in program history.

Defensive back Cha'Quan D. Love recorded three breakups. Lineman Malik Edwards blocked a field goal. Kicker Brady Tanguay recorded a school-record six extra points.

The Saints jumped to a 35-7 first-half lead before the visiting Spartans responded with three consecutive touchdowns to close the deficit to 35-28 in the third quarter.

Barner relieved Gilliam for the Saints and hooked up with Wright on a key 79-yard touchdown with 7:40 remaining in the fourth.

Missouri Baptist scored its last touchdown with 45 seconds remaining, but failed to recover the ensuing onside kick.

Tight end Kalen Petty powered the MBU offense with five catches for 143 yards and two TDs. Quarterback Jordan Norwine was 11 of 37 for 248 yards and two scores.

Linebacker Kevin Gude and defensive lineman Maleek Ross had eight total tackles each; both also had sacks. Defensive back Eddie Calderon made two INTs, returning one for a TD.

Siena Heights (2-0, 2-0) will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 19, with an MSFA Mideast home game against Concordia.