Graceland 24, Culver-Stockton 21
The Yellowjacket football team closed out their 2003 campaign with a hard fought 24-21 victory in Canton, Mo. on Saturday, November 15.
Both the Jackets and the Wildcats entered the game with records of 4-5 and statistically they were well matched. The scoreboard at the end of the game would prove to be close but the Jackets out-clawed the Cats 358-232 in total yards of offense.
Senior quarterback Tom Campos completed 50 percent of his passes (12-24) for a total of 177 yards. Campos had two touchdown strikes to sophomore tight end Bob Heldenbrand, the first of 30 yards the second for 26. The Yellowjackets were led in rushing by freshman Julius Strong who had 191 yards on 29 rushes. Strong opened the scoring for the Jackets on an 82 yard romp into the end-zone.
With Graceland up 21-14, a 41-yard kick by sophomore Danny Laguna early in the fourth quarter, would prove to be the winning points for the Jackets. The Wildcats got within three points with their own score but a pick-off by Chad Everett in the dieing minutes of the game sealed the victory for Graceland.
Junior defensive back Ryan King led the team with 12 tackles, two for losses, and an interception. Senior linebackers Troy Rider and Jayson Blocker went out with a bang by totaling nine and seven tackles respectively. Rider had four tackles for 21 yards of loss and Blocker had three for nine yards of loss. Rider also picked off a pass that he returned for 16 yards.
The 2003 Yellowjackets finished their campaign with a record of 5-5 both in the HAAC and overall.
