Alma's late TD stuns Falcons

MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia Wisconsin threw for a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter on Saturday afternoon to surge back in front of Alma, but it wasn't enough as the Scots scored with 23 seconds remaining on the clock for a 31-28 non-conference victory at Tomasini Stadium.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Alma 31, Concordia Wisconsin 28
Location: Tomasini Stadium (Mequon, Wis.)
Records: Alma 2-1, Concordia Wisconsin 2-1

QUOTING HEAD COACH GREG ETTER

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons trailed 28-14 entering the final 15 minutes of play before Aaron Nixon and Danté Edwards twice connected on pass-and-catch touchdowns. Nixon found Edwards down the right side of the field on a nice pass before Edwards did the rest and outran the Alma defense for an 80-yard touchdown.
- Following a crucial defense stop, Nixon connected with Edwards from 18 yards out to propel the Falcons back in front 28-24 with 2:28 left in the game. The drive was the most impressive by the Concordia Wisconsin offense because it covered nine plays and 93 yards in two minutes and 33 seconds.
- Holding their first lead of the game, the Falcons need one last defensive stop. However, Alma had other plans and marched 65 yards down the field and Nick Sullivan rushed in from a yard for the game-winning points.
- Alma's offense was on full display, accumulating 558 total yards, including 290 on the ground. They also had 34 first downs and were 3-of-5 on fourth-down conversions. Overall, the visitors finished 5-for-6 in the red zone, with four opportunities ending via a touchdown.
- Early on it appeared Alma would run away with the non-conference matchup, leading 24-7 at halftime. The Scots scored four of their first seven drives, all of which were in the red zone.
- One of the highlights in the opening half was a nifty spin move by freshman Isaiah Tenette that gave him room to sprint up the middle of the field for an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
- Nixon found sophomore Ryan Wagner (Mukwonago, Wis.) from 10 yards out to cut the deficit to 24-14 midway through the third quarter.
- The Falcons piled up 443 total offensive yards, with 388 coming through the air. They ended the defeat 7-of-14 on third-down conversions.
- Nixon (North Prairie, Wis.) had a career game throwing for 388 yards on 29-of-43 passing and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 48 yards.
- Edwards (senior, Glendale, Ariz.) was against outstanding with seven receptions for 159 yards (both career highs) and touchdowns.
- Senior Derrick Estfan (Phoenix, Ariz.) grabbed seven passes for 88 yards, while junior Kevin Folker (Milwaukee, Wis.) posted five catches for 55 yards.
- Senior Chip McKay (Hebron, Ill.) led the Falcons with a career-high 12 tackles, including eight solo, and a fumble forced.
- Senior Kevin Kern (Arlington Heights, Ill.) tallied a career-best 11 tackles, while junior Richie Guess (Homer Glen, Ill.) and senior Bryan Thomas (Lowell, Ind.) each had 10 tackles, respectively.
- Sophomore Jeffrey Arredondo (Chandler, Ariz.) made two important sacks in the game, while sophomore James Dills (Glendale, Ariz.) and senior Malcolm Bowers (Germantown, Wis.) each intercepted a pass.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- After beginning the game with five-straight punts, the Falcons scored four touchdowns on half of their next eight possessions in the game.
- Edwards 100-yard receiving game was the second this season and in both games he has caught multiple touchdowns.
- Sophomore Jacob Mason (Hartford, Wis.) punted seven times for 291 yards, calculating to a 41.6 yard average. He also pinned three inside the 20-yard line.
- Concordia Wisconsin was again hampered by the whistle, being called for eight infractions covering 146 yards.
- Alma dominated the time of possession, holding the ball for 37 minutes and nine seconds in the game.

THE OPPOSITION
- Quarterback Dylan Zaborowski was 20-of-41 passing for 268 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for 99 yards.
- Running back Nick Sullivan ended the win with 106 rushing yards on 31 carries and two touchdowns. Essa Kellah also ran for 76 yards on four touches and scored a touchdown.
- Wide receiver Danny Hugan III hauled in seven passes for 134 yards.
- Defensively, Jacob Chittenden led all players with 14 tackles, including nine solo. Dallas Reeser had 11 tackles and Justin Thelen intercepted a pass.
- Troy Gahm recorded three sacks and Dustin Tripp had two sacks of his own.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- The Falcons have hit the bye week and won't play next week, but instead prepare for the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opener at Lakeland on October 1 at 1 pm.