DAVENPORT, Iowa -- Two fourth quarter touchdowns led the Siena Heights football team to a 21-17 victory of Mid-States Football Association crossover opponent Saint Ambrose (Iowa), on Saturday.
Siena Heights was on the board first when Ronnie Giles Jr. made a three-yard run to earn a touchdown with 5:17 remaining in the first quarter. SAU responded with a one-yard rushing touchdown of their own and a two-point conversion to make it 8-7 heading into the second quarter.
The Fighting Bees (4-4) went on to score a field goal in the second quarter and a eight-yard receiving touchdown in the third quarter, going up 17-7 over the Saints heading into the fourth quarter.
With 8:57 remaining, Garrett Schaller tossed the ball to Curtis Smith for a touchdown after getting the ball from a SAU fumble. The Saint still trailed the Fighting Bees 17-14
E.J. Shaah blocked a Saint Ambrose kick attempt with 6:05 remaining, to give the Saints possession on the SAU 49-yard line after a 23-yard recovery return by Jaylen Wiggens.
Siena Heights drove down the field and with only 00:03 remaing on the clock, Lucas Barner Jr. connected with Dont'e Fox for an eight-yard touchdown to put the Saints on top for good.
Barner completed 17 of 29 throwing attempts for SHU for a total of 160 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. He also made 10 rushing attempts for 24 net yards. Also tossing a touchdown in his lone throw of the night was Schaller, who also ran for 16 yards in two plays.
The Saints (5-3) ran for 128 yards, with Fox running for 54 net yards. He also brought in five catches for 40 yards and a touchdown.
Giles had 11 carries to total 34 yards and a SHU touchdown.
In the air, Braelen Bader led the Saints with 51 yards in four catches. He was followed by Smith who brought in four passes to total 29 yards an a Saints' touchdown.
Defensively, the Saints were led by Da'vonte Price with nine sacks, three unassisted and six assisted. Raymond Williams Jr. took down eight Fighting Bees while E.J. Shaah brought down six.
The Saint Ambrose quarterback Patrick Smith threw for 238 yards while going 12-for-23, connecting with Brad Connor for 135 of those yards. On the ground, Joey Zito led SAU with 99 net yards.
Mitch Negangard and Harrison Hale led the Fighting Bees with 12 and 10 yards, respectively. Negangard had four solo and 8 assisted tackles while Hale had six solo tackles and four assisted tackles.
Siena Heights will be on the road again when the Saints take on Trinity International (Ill.) on Saturday, Nov. 5, for another MSFA crossover contest. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. CST (2 p.m. EDT).
