05-02-05 All-Conference Scholar-Athletes
The Heart of America Athletic Conference has recognized 32 Graceland University athletes as All-Conference Scholar-Athletes for 2004-05.The Yellowjacket softball, women’s track and football teams led the way with four scholars each, followed by the women’s volleyball, men’s track, men’s cross country and men’s soccer teams with three scholar-athletes apiece.
The following is a list of Graceland’s 2004-05 HAAC Scholar-Athletes:
Athlete -- GPA -- Sport -- Major
Brent DeLong -- 3.51 -- Football -- Liberal Studies
Joshua Good -- 3.76 -- Football -- Accounting/Bus. Admin.
Craig Hidy -- 3.78 -- Football -- Liberal Studies
Tony Ingram -- 3.59 -- Football -- Accounting/Bus. Admin.
04-29-05 Posteraro Selected in Fourth Round of CFL Draft
The Edmonton Eskimos selected Graceland University punter Anthony Posteraro as the 31st pick overall in the Canadian College Football Draft. Posteraro, from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, was chosen in the fourth round.Posteraro was Graceland’s special teams most valuable player in 2004, averaging 40 yards per punt, his longest being a 66-yard boot. He placed 14 of his 36 punts inside the 20 yard line for the Yellowjackets. Posteraro, at six-foot-one-inch and 185-pounds, was a second team all-conference punter.
Last season the Eskimos were 9-9 after the regular season and ended the year with a loss to the Saskatchewan Rough Riders in the West Semi-Final game of the playoffs. The Edmonton Eskimos open the 2005 season on Friday, June 10 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. For more information about the Edmonton Eskimos, go to www.esks.com .
04-16-05 Graceland Football Volunteers at Special Olympics
On Saturday, Graceland University football players and coaches volunteered to cheer, escort and hand out ribbons to 200 Olympians at the Special Olympics held in Creston, Iowa. This was the third year the Yellowjackets have donated time for the event.Photos
02-24-05 Johnson and Braddock on Don Hansen’s All-America Team
Don Hansen has named Graceland’s Dante Johnson and Clayton Braddock to the 2004 Football Gazette All-American Team. Johnson, from Orlando, Fla., was named to the second offensive team and Braddock, from Grand Prairie, Texas, was a third team offense honoree.Johnson is a six-foot, 205-pound wide receiver for the Jackets. In his senior year with Graceland, he caught 49 passes for eight touchdowns and 884 yards this season. Add this to his 57 rushing and 402 kick return yards to total 1343 all purpose yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 18.0 yards per catch, 4.8 per rush and 28.7 yards per kick return, for a total of 134.3 all purpose yards and 5.7 total offense average per game in 10 contests.
In 2004, Johnson has been placed on the NAIA All-American honorable mention team and Heart of America Athletic Conference first team wide receiver and first team kick returner. He also was an NAIAfootball.net fourth team all-American and a Don Hansen’s preseason all-American honorable mention honoree.
Braddock, a six-foot, 200-pound sophomore quarterback, averaged 311.2 total offensive yards per game this season. He completed 182 of 326 passes for 25 touchdowns, the longest being an 80-yard bomb. Braddock’s pass efficiency was 148.4 in 10 games played.
Braddock received numerous player of the week awards this season, including: five Don Hansen’s National Weekly Gazette picks, three Heart of America Athletic Conference awards, two NAIA National honor and one NAIAfootball.net selection. He was also a third team NAIAFootball.net All-American.
02-10-05 Dante Johnson Awarded NAIA All-American
The national office has recognized Graceland Yellowjacket Dante Johnson as an NAIA All-American Honorable Mention football player for 2004.Johnson, a six-foot senior receiver from Orlando, Fla., caught 49 passes for eight touchdowns and 884 yards this season. Add this to his 57 rushing and 402 kick return yards to total 1343 all purpose yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 18.0 yards per catch, 4.8 per rush and 28.7 yards per kick return, for a total of 134.3 all purpose yards and 5.7 total offense average per game in 10 contests.
In 2004, Johnson has been awarded Heart of America Athletic Conference first team wide receiver and first team kick returner. He also was an NAIAfootball.net fourth team all-American and a Don Hansen’s preseason all-American honorable mention honoree.
In his four-year career at Graceland, Dante Johnson played in 39 games, gained 2822 receiving, 98 rushing, 1629 kick return and 33 punt return yards for a total of 4642 all purpose yards, at an average of 119.0 per game. Johnson scored 30 touchdowns, 26 in the air, two rushing and two returns.
02-10-05 Three Jackets Placed on NAIAFootball.net All-American Team
Three Graceland Yellowjackets have been placed on the NAIAFootball.net All-American Team, sponsored by the United States Sports Academy. Sophomore quarterback Clayton Braddock is a third team honoree, senior receiver Dante Johnson was placed on the fourth team and senior receiver Anthony Rozier was an honorable mention selection.Six-foot quarterback Clayton Braddock averaged 311.2 total offensive yards per game this season. He completed 182 of 326 passes for 25 touchdowns, the longest being an 80-yard bomb. Braddock’s pass efficiency was 148.4 in 10 games played. The Grand Prairie, Texas, native received numerous other awards this season, including the following player of the week titles: five Don Hansen’s National Weekly Gazette picks, three Heart of America Athletic Conference awards, two NAIA National honor and one NAIAfootball.net selection.
Dante Johnson, a six-foot receiver from Orlando, Fla., caught 49 passes for eight touchdowns and 884 yards this season. Add this to his 57 rushing and 402 kick return yards to total 1343 all purpose yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 18.0 yards per catch, 4.8 per rush and 28.7 yards per kick return, for a total of 134.3 all purpose yards and 5.7 total offense average per game in 10 contests. In his four-year career at Graceland, Dante Johnson played in 39 games, gained 2822 receiving, 98 rushing, 1629 kick return and 33 punt return yards for a total of 4642 all purpose yards, at an average of 119.0 per game. Johnson scored 30 touchdowns, 26 in the air, two rushing and two returns.
Rozier caught 35 passes this season for an average of 23.8 yards per catch. The six-foot-one-inch receiver from Orlando, Fla., totaled 832 yards in the air, including 12 touchdowns, and gained 157 yards from 10 kick returns, on his way to a total of 994 all purpose yards. In three years with the Graceland football team, Rozier played in 22 games, raked in 1324 receiving yards, averaging 22.4 yards per catch. He scored 16 touchdowns and averaged 60.2 receiving yards per game. He also gained 354 yards on 20 kick returns, for a grand total of 1689 all purpose yards.
01-24-05 Four Yellowjackets Are NAIA Scholar-Athletes
The NAIA recognized four Graceland University football players as 2004 All-American Scholar-Athletes, including Brent DeLong, Josh Good, Craig Hidy and Tony Ingram.Junior Brent DeLong is a defensive back from Lamoni, Iowa, who holds a 3.6 GPA while enrolled in liberal studies and leadership classes. DeLong has been on the President’s List and Dean’s List one semester each and on honors lists four terms. Brent played in nine games and had 22 tackles and one pass break up this season.
Tight end Josh Good has posted a 3.67 grade point in his three years at Graceland. Good, from St. Charles, Iowa, is majoring in economic business and accounting administration. He has been on the President’s List one term and honors lists two semesters. Due to an injury, Good only played in a few games during the 2004 season.
Sophomore linebacker Craig Hidy commands a 3.72 GPA as a Yellowjacket studying sociology and religion. Hidy, from Stewartsville, Mo., has been a Dean’s List and President’s List achiever multiple semesters. Hidy played in all 10 games, totaling 68 tackles, three pass break ups and 10 tackles for 19 lost yards.
Tony Ingram, a defensive back from Fort Worth, Texas, handles a 3.53 grade point in his business administration and accounting classes. He has been on the National Academic Honor Roll and was a Gates Millennium Scholar. Ingram had 55 tackles this season, along with one sack, one interception and one fumble recovery.
The Graceland Yellowjackets concluded the season with an 8-2 record, ranked 19th in the NAIA.
12-30-04 There's always something to fight for
Posted on Thu, Dec. 30, 2004There's always something to fight for
by ROGER MOONEY
Herald Staff Writer, Bradenton Herald, Florida
Ervin Gibbs picked up the fumble and rumbled 13 yards to the end zone if you ask him or to the 1-yard line if you go by the official who ruled Gibbs down before he crossed the goal line.
"If you look at the replays," Gibbs said, "I broke the plane of the goal line."
Ah, but you can't check the replays in NAIA college football. You have to live with each call, and some calls are just out of your control.
Which brings us to Gibbs' story.
The 1999 graduate of Southeast High found himself in a room at Manatee Memorial Hospital for a month during the fall of 2001 while doctors tried to figure out why he couldn't digest his food.
It cost him 40 pounds and his sophomore season at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.
You know what it's like to lie in bed wondering why you can no longer do something as simple as eating?
"Man, it's crazy," Gibbs, 24, said. "It's rough just laying there, hooked up to IVs, just watching the days go by."
During one of those days, the doctors diagnosed Gibbs's problem.
"Gastro-something," Gibbs said.
That gastro-something came back two years later and robbed Gibbs of what would have been his senior season. Gibbs had enough credits to graduate, but decided no, he'd return for one more fall.
"I refused to go out the sick guy," Gibbs said. "A guy who got sick and couldn't play no more."
As a defensive lineman, Gibbs helped Southeast to the 1998 state title game. He was determined to push Graceland football in that same direction.
He wanted to go out on his terms.
"If there's a glimmer of hope, he's going to fight for it," said Kevin Brown, the Graceland assistant who recruited Gibbs.
Gibbs' father, Ervin, Sr., steered his son toward Graceland because of its Chance Program, designed for students with learning disabilities. It was perfect for Gibbs, who is dyslexic.
It was the cooking of his mom, Maggie, who helped Gibbs rebound from his two bouts with his stomach problems.
It was the support of the professors, coaches, teachers and administrators at Graceland that made Gibbs want to return to school.
"He fed off that energy," Brown said.
Graceland went 8-2 this season, its best record since 1977.
Gibbs was named captain of the homecoming game, an honor that deeply touched him since his parents were in the stands that afternoon.
He recently graduated with a 3.0 GPA and a degree in recreation and physical education.
He would like to teach and coach high school football.
He would also like to give the Arena Football League a shot and anxiously awaits the Tampa Bay Storms' next tryouts.
In the meantime, Gibbs works at the Manatee Adolescent Treatment Services Halfway House as a juvenile counselor, advising troubled kids not to abandon their futures.
If there's a glimmer of hope . . .
There are a lot of things worth fighting for - an education, a football career, a future - even if it feels like sometimes your knee was down before you crossed the goal line.
12-11-04 Graceland University Football Players Recognized at Banquet
On Saturday, December 11, the Graceland Yellowjacket football team reflected on the 2004 season at the awards banquet held in the Floyd M. McDowell Commons on the Lamoni campus.The pregame began with a welcome by Director of Athletics Dan Hanton and the invocation from Assistant Head Coach Alan Dykens. The coin toss by captains Tony Ingram and Clayton Braddock determined the order in which the guests lined up to eat during the first quarter of the evening.
Hanton began the second quarter with comments about the past season and Head Coach Cris Welch spoke about the 2004 team. For the halftime entertainment Tight Ends Coach Craig Foster presented a highlight video comprised of game footage and still shots from the season.
The third quarter focused on various awards for the season. Senior Dante Johnson was Graceland’s lone NAIA All-American this season, and was joined by sophomore Clayton Braddock on Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette All=American Team. Johnson, Braddock and senior Anthony Rozier received recognition for third, fourth and honorable mention teams, respectively, on the NAIAFootball.net All-America Team.
Three Heart of America Athletic Conference Player of the Week awards were presented to Clayton Braddock and one to Ron Strozyk. Braddock was also recognized for two NAIA Player of the Week awards, five Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette player of the week awards and one NAIAFootball.net player of the week award. Junior Anthony Posteraro received one Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette player of the week award.
Fifteen players were given Heart of America Athletic Conference certificates: First team – Dante Johnson, Clayton Braddock, Anthony Rozier; Second team – Rufus Williams, Anthony Posteraro, Eric Boatwright; Third team – Ron Strozyk, Craig Hidy, Julius Strong; Honorable mention – Manny Espinoza, Tony Ingram, Michael Richardson, Reggie Cox, James Williams and Anthony Ferguson.
Team awards were given as follows: Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Rufus Williams; Outstanding Receiver: Dante Johnson and Anthony Rozier; Outstanding Offensive Back: Julius Strong; Outstanding Defensive Lineman: Ron Strozyk; Outstanding Linebacker: Craig Hidy; Outstanding Defensive Back: Reggie Cox; Outstanding Special Teams Player: Anthony Posteraro; Outstanding Newcomer: Clayton Braddock; Scout Team Player of the Year: Dantrell Allen and Geary Davenport; Most Improved Player: Kengen Jones; Most Inspirational: Tony Ingram; Doc Hughes Homecoming Offensive MVP: Clayton Braddock; Doc Hughes Homecoming Defensive MVP: Reggie Cox; Team Captain Awards: Clayton Braddock, Tony Ingram; Most Valuable Player: Clayton Braddock.
Four players, including Brent DeLong, Josh Good, Craig Hidy and Tony Ingram, were recognized for academic excellence and received HAAC, Region V and NAIA scholar-athlete certificates.
Seniors Josh Brummit and Ervin Gibbs received the Howard Brunner Teamwork Award, and sophomore Craig Hidy received the Yellowjacket Alumni Pride Award, and the Top Academic Achievement Award.
The Yellowjacket Alumni Pride Award is presented annually to a member of the Graceland University Yellowjacket football program who demonstrates the qualities of a gentleman both on and off the field. He prioritizes the importance of faith and family, academics and football, while illustrating flexibility within his life. He shows compassion for others courageously stands for what others believe in, exhibits honesty with himself and others, demonstrates initiative, displays loyalty, optimism and trustworthiness, models an example for others to follow and respects each individual, the program and the institution.
The Howard Brunner Teamwork award is presented annually by the coaching staff to the Graceland football player who best demonstrates the qualities most admired in Howard: Loyalty to the program, a commitment to the team concept over the individual, and a desire to do even the little things well.
The fourth quarter gave tribute to the 2004-05 seniors. The nine seniors were presented their helmets from the season and gave farewell speeches to the team. The 2004 seniors include: Josh Brummit, Reggie Cox, Nick Garrett, Ervin Gibbs, Dante Johnson, Michael Richardson, Anthony Rozier, Nick Terrazas and James Williams.
The night ended as a win, with the team singing the Graceland fight song, followed by a team breakdown.
12-03-04 Sixteen Football Players On HAAC Teams
Graceland University football lands 16 Heart of America Athletic Conference post season awards for a 2004 that saw the team achieve an 8-2 record.One of the nation’s top offensive units earned three out of the four first team nods where sophomore quarterback Clayton Braddock led the conference in passing and total offense to gain his first HAAC award. Braddock’s two favorite targets Dante Johnson and Anthony Rozier had incredible senior seasons at the wide receiver spots and both joined Braddock on the first team.
Dante Johnson, who was feared by all special teams in the conference, was also given the nod as a first team kick returner in 2004.
Making the second team in 2004 were junior offensive lineman Rufus Williams, junior tight end Eric Boatwright and junior punter Anthony Posteraro.
The Yellowjackets also landed three players on the third team, including sophomore running back Julius Strong, junior defensive lineman Ron Strozyk and sophomore linebacker Craig Hidy.
Juniors Manny Espinoza, Anthony Ferguson and Tony Ingram joined seniors Reggie Cox, Michael Richardson and James Williams on the HAAC honorable mention list.
The 2004 Yellowjacket football team broke many team and individual records over the 2004 campaign and these 15 young men were recognized for their excellence on the field.
11-16-04 Braddock Ends Season With Two National Weekly Honors
Graceland’s sophomore quarterback Clayton Braddock was awarded two national player of the week honors for the final week of the 2004 football season.The NAIA and Don Hansen’s Weekly Gazette both recognized Braddock as the best offensive player in the nation for his 26-of-45 passing for 406 years and five touchdowns as Graceland defeated Culver-Stockton 45-23. He also had five carries for 36 yards and another score.
Braddock, from Grande Prairie, Texas, adds these awards to his already long list of player of the week accolades for the 2004 season, including: four Don Hansen’s National Weekly Gazette picks, three Heart of America Athletic Conference awards, one NAIA National honor and one NAIAfootball.net selection.
Graceland ended the season ranked 19th in the NAIA with an 8-2 record.
11-15-04 Graceland Sweeps HAAC Player of the Week Awards
The Heart of America Athletic Conference has named Graceland Yellowjackets Clayton Braddock and Ron Strozyk Player of the Week for their performances against Culver-Stockton College on November 13.Clayton Braddock, a sophomore quarterback from Grand Prairie, Texas, has earned offensive player of the week accolades. Braddock threw for 406 yards and five touchdowns completing 26-of-45 attempts in a 45-23 win over Culver-Stockton. The six-foot signal caller also added a touchdown on the ground, adding 35 yards rushing on five carries.
Ron Strozyk, a junior defensive lineman for the Jackets, has been selected the defensive player of the week. Strozyk had one solo tackle and three assisted tackles, including two sacks and two forced fumbles in the win over Culver-Stockton to lead the Yellowjackets to an 8-2 season. The Raymond, Wash., native totaled three tackles for a loss for 14 yards.
11-13-04 Jackets Finish a Historic Season
PhotosSenior Photos
The Yellowjacket football team finished the 2004 regular season with a 45-23 victory over Culver-Stockton College Saturday at home in Lamoni, Iowa.
Senior day proved to be just that as seniors Dante Johnson and Anthony Rozier led the way for the Graceland’s offensive unit. Johnson caught seven passes for a total of 178 yards and three touchdowns. Rozier also had a great day of receiving by snaring five passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Defensive back and senior Michael Richardson got in on the action by making two tackles and picking off one Culver-Stockton pass.
Other seniors being recognized for their outstanding season were quarter back Josh Brummit who ran the offense for the final two possessions, defensive back Reggie Cox who had four tackles and one pass break up, line-backer Ervin Gibbs and offensive lineman James Williams. Three senior student coaches who have previously played for the Jackets were also honored, including Nick Garrett, Nick Terrazas and Earl White.
Graceland’s outstanding quarterback Clayton Braddock had another MVP-style game throwing for 406 yards as he went 26-45, with the five touchdown passes. Braddock also rushed five times for 35 yards and a touchdown.
The Jackets picked up 147 yards on the ground, and leading the way was Julius Strong who rumbled for 46 yards on nine carries. Braddock was second on the team with his 35-yard effort and rounding out the top three of the ground attack was Chris Howard who had 34 yards on six carries.
Special teams standout Anthony Posteraro stayed among the national leaders in punting as he booted four balls for a total 172 yards and an average of 43 yards per kick.
On the defensive side of the ball Craig Hidy led the team with 13 total tackles, three of which were for losses. Tony Ingram and Brent DeLong were next on the hit parade with eight and six tackles respectively. Seven Jackets recorded tackles for loss on the day; Ron Strozyk had two of the tackles for loss as he recorded two sacks, while Dominique Randle El chipped in with a sack of his own.
The team effort by the Jackets led to not only a win but a tie for second place in the HAAC with MidAmerica Nazarene University. Since Graceland became a four year school in 1957 this is only the second time that the football team has recorded an 8-2 season; the 2004 season ties with the 1977 Jackets for an all time best. The second place HAAC standing is the fifth time the Jackets have accomplished the feat that was only topped once by the 1975 Jackets who finished first in the conference.
11-13-04 Graceland Football Wins 45-23 on Senior Night
PhotosSenior Photos
After recognizing 10 Yellowjacket football seniors in a pre-game ceremony, the Graceland University football team scored 45 points to beat Culver-Stockton College by 22 points in the final regular season game of the year.
The 10 seniors who were applauded for their time with the Yellowjacket football team included quarterback Josh Brummit, defensive back Reggie Cox, defensive lineman Ervin Gibbs, receiver Dante Johnson, defensive back Michael Richardson, receiver Anthony Rozier and offensive lineman James Williams. Three senior student coaches who have previously played for the Jackets were also honored, including Nick Garrett, Nick Terrazas and Earl White.
Graceland was 8-2 this season, and awaits a phone call on Sunday to see if the Jackets will play another game in post-season play.
11-06-04 Ingram Records 10 Solo Tackles in 44-27 Win Over Baker
The 6-2 Graceland University Yellowjacket football team traveled to Baldwin City, Kan., to take on the Wildcats of Baker University in their final road game of the 2004 campaign. The Jackets continued their great offensive ways as they outscored the Cats 44-27 in the contest.The Jacket offense was firing on all cylinders as they ran for 187 yards and passed for another 359 yards. The Jackets out did the Wildcats on offense 546 to 340 in total yards on their way to their seventh win of the season.
Clayton Braddock continued to throw the ball well as he picked up 323 yards and one TD pass in a 23-31 effort. Six Jackets had multi-catch games and leading the way were the two seniors Dante Johnson and Anthony Rozier who had five catches for 98 yards and four catches for 77 yards, respectively. Rozier caught the only TD pass from Braddock, and Anthony Ferguson snared five passes of his own for 51 yards.
The Jackets may have gained the bulk of their yards through the air but they did most of their scoring on the ground. Leading the way was Chris Howard who scored three times as he rushed for 93 yards on 10 carries. Julius Strong also had a good day as he picked up 76 yards on 10 carries.
Defensively, four Jackets had double-digit tackles and leading the way Tony Ingram who made 14 stops in the game. Manny Espinoza, Craig Hidy and Pablo Moreno each had 11 tackles in the contest while Ron Strozyk, Raphael Murphy and Justin Rogers each had sacks for the Jackets defense.
The Jackets will return home for their final regular season game of the 2004 season on November 13th as they take on Culver-Stockton College in Lamoni. The Jackets are still in the hunt for a playoff spot in this must-win contest.
11-03-04 Football Back in the Polls
The NAIA awarded Graceland football with the 22nd spot in the most recent national polls. Graceland was unranked the week before, but had been 22nd prior to the game on October 23.Graceland travels to Baldwin City, Kan. this Saturday to play the 4-4 Wildcats. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m.
10-30-04 Jackets Soar Over Eagles
PhotosIn 2003 the Graceland football team lost a heart breaker to the Eagles of Avila University 22-25. In 2004 the Jackets got to return the favor and become the heart breakers as they defeated Avila 29-15 on three fourth-quarter scoring drives.
The action in Lamoni on October 30th was tense and the Jackets made a few mistakes that helped the Eagles stay in the see-saw battle. The Yellowjackets’ only score of the first half came by way of a 59-yard pass from quarterback Clayton Braddock to Dante Johnson late in the first quarter.
Going into the fourth quarter the Jackets trailed 12-7 but at the 11:11 mark, Braddock hooked up with Julius Strong on a 16-yard touchdown strike that capped off a five-play 52-yard scoring drive. Graceland had their second lead of the game and some momentum in what would prove to be an exciting final frame.
Late in the fourth quarter Avila kicker Massimo Scaccia kicked his third field goal of the game to tie things up at 15-15. The Jackets looked to answer back, and they did exactly one minute and three plays later when Braddock hit Joe Magana on a 67 yard pass play that saw Magana turn on the jets and blow by a number of defensive players on his way into the end zone.
Just over a minute and a half later Graceland sealed the deal as Julius Strong scored on a one yard rush for his second score. As Danny Laguna added the extra point, Graceland had shown plenty of drive as they outscored Avila 22-3 in the final period.
The Yellowjacket defense was tested all game long as the Eagles produced 70 running plays and attempted 11 passes, one of which was picked off by Jay Hightower. The Jackets had four players with double digit tackles on the day: Craig Hidy had 12, Brandon Johnson and Roshe Hepburn each had 11 and Ron Strozyk picked up 10 tackles three of which were for losses. Johnson had two tackles for losses while four other Jackets also had tackles for losses.
Lamoni product Brent DeLong got his first start of the season where he did an outstanding job for a defense that has been banged up over the last couple of games. Sean Sharky picked up a couple of tackles as he filled in for Cedric Taylor who got injured late in the contest. In total 13 Jackets recorded multiple tackles while another seven recorded solo efforts.
The 6-2 Jackets will travel to Baldwin City, Kan. to take on the 4-4 Wildcats of Baker University at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 6th.
10-23-04 Jackets Struggle Versus #18 Pioneers
PhotosThe Graceland football team traveled to Olathe, Kan. on Saturday, Oct. 23rd to take on the Pioneers of MidAmerica Nazarene University. The match-up featured two teams battling for second place in the Heart of America Athletic Conference and a spot in the post season playoffs.
MidAmerica proved to be the better team on the day as they out-scored the Jackets 44-10. The balanced attack and stifling defense of MidAmerica was too much for a Graceland team that is having an outstanding season. In all, MidAmerica out-gained Graceland on the ground 219-179 and in the air 298-134 for total offense of 498-269.
Graceland quarterback Clayton Braddock was not able to click with his usual two dominating receivers Dante Johnson and Anthony Rozier so head coach Cris Welch threw a wrinkle into his team’s offense by rotating Eric Boatwright in a the quarterback position. The new look gained the Jackets yards on a few drives but the only scoring would be on a second quarter field goal by Danny Laguna and a last second touchdown by Boatwright to end the game.
Pablo Moreno, Michael Richardson and Ron Strozyk led the team in tackles on the day while Brandon Johnson and Jon Hoffman each recorded sacks for the Jacket defense.
At the end of the day many of the Jacket players were frustrated with the team’s effort but as Coach Welch said, “The guys have to keep their heads up; we have plenty of football to play on our quest for the play-offs.”
The 5-2 Jackets return home to play the 2-6 Eagles of Avila University in Lamoni at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 30th.
10-19-04 Braddock Adds to Player of the Week Awards
Graceland’s sophomore quarterback Clayton Braddock added two more awards to his list of recognition for the 2004 football season.Both the Heart of America Athletic Conference and Don Hansen’s Weekly Gazette named Braddock, a 6-foot sophomore quarterback from Grand Prairie, Texas, Player of the Week for his game against Missouri Valley College on Saturday, September 16.
Braddock threw for 293 yards completing 15 of 34 passes. Braddock’s longest of his three touchdown passes was an 80-yard strike. He also rushed 10 times for 50 yards and one touchdown.
This season, Braddock is averaging 311.8 total offensive yards, which is the top in the NAIA. He also leads the nation in passing with 103 completions, 1735 yards and 16 touchdowns.
In 2004, Braddock has eight player of the week awards: four-time Don Hansen’s Weekly Gazette; conference twice; NAIA and NAIAFootball.Net Field Turf each on one occasion.
10-19-04 Graceland Football Steps Up
The NAIA has recognized Graceland University as the 22nd best football team in the nation. Last week the Yellowjackets were 24th.Jason Dannelly’s NAIAFootball.NET ranks Graceland 21st and Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette places the Jackets 27th.
This Saturday’s game matches Graceland with the NAIA’s 17th ranked team MidAmerica Nazarene University from Olathe, Kan. This game is for a possible second playoff team from the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Graceland’s only loss is to Lindenwood University, who leads the conference at 7-0. MidAmerica has lost games to Lindenwood and Missouri Valley College for a 4-2 record.
The Graceland at MidAmerica game kicks off on Saturday, October 23 at 1:30 p.m. in Olathe, Kan.
10-16-04 Yellowjackets Sink the Vikings' Ship
PhotosThe 4-1 Graceland football team returned home to Lamoni to beat the 2-4 Vikings of Missouri Valley College 42-11 on Saturday, October 16th. The high powered Yellowjacket offense continued with its usual scoring ways but the news on the day was the outstanding effort of the Jacket defense.
Missouri Valley out-gained the Jackets in total offence on the day, 409-391 total yards, but the defense of the Jackets stepped up time after time as the Vikings got into scoring distance. On the day, the Vikings had to punt six times, one of which was blocked by Jacket defensive lineman Ron Strozyk. The Vikings’ only scores on the day came by way of and 87-yard touchdown pass, a field goal and a safety.
Missouri Valley started off the game with a punishing ground attack that resulted in a missed field goal attempt. From that point the Jackets stuffed the run making 11 total tackles for losses including two sacks. Pablo Moreno was the only Jacket in double digit tackles with 15 but Cedric Taylor (9), Craig Hidy (8) and Nathan Bennett (7) each had big days.
Defensive line Ron Strozyk had a big day as he made six tackles, two for losses (1 sack), a fumble recovery and the blocked punt. Robert Pentek had two fumble recoveries and Irvin Gibbs also picked up a loose ball. Tony Ingram and Reggie Cox each had an interception on the day. In total the Jackets had a great team effort on defense as 17 players recorded more than one tackle on the day with another four players getting in with one of their own.
On the other side of the ball quarterback Clayton Braddock continued to compete for a spot with the national leaders in passing going 15-34 for 293 yards with three touchdown passes, all of which were caught by Anthony Rozier who had four catches on the day for a total of 127 yards. The other member of the dynamic duo Dante Johnson also had four catches for a total of 54 yards.
Braddock led all rushers with 71 yards on 10 carries. His long run on the day was a 50 yard rumble where he broke three tackles. The score was in the Jackets favor at the time of the run but the crowd and the team gained some extra momentum on the play. Chris Howard gained 52 yards on nine carries and Julius Strong picked up 29 on six carries. Both Howard and Strong scored touchdowns on the day.
The nationally ranked #24 Yellowjackets (5-1) will travel to Olathe, Kansas to take on the #17 Pioneers (5-2) of MidAmerica Nazarene University, Saturday October 23rd at 1:30 p.m.
10-13-04 Graceland Football Leaps Into NAIA Top 25
This week the Graceland University football team leaped into the 24th position in the NAIA national poll after not being ranked since October 11, 1997.In 1997 the team was ranked 25th on September 20, then jumped to 16th the next week. The team was then 22nd the following two weeks to end the season.
In national team statistics, Graceland is in the top 21 in seven categories, including:
1st --first downs – 68.4 average
2nd -- pass offense – 296.4 yards per game
Tied 2nd -- total offense – 473.2 yards per game
3rd -- pass efficiency – 151.2 efficiency
Tied 5th -- punting – 42.1 yards per game
9th -- offensive scoring – 32.2 points per game
12th -- punt returns – 14.3 yard per game
Graceland has four athletes listed in national individual statistics:
Clayton Braddock: 1st total offense -- 305.6 yards per game
2nd in passing – 288.4 yards per game
5th pass efficiency – 153.0 efficiency
Anthony Posteraro: 7th punting – 42.1 yards per punt
Anthony Rozier: 16th reception yards – 84.0 yards per game
20th touchdowns – 36 points
Dante Johnson: 12th all purpose yards – 141.0 yards per
19th reception yards – 83.0 yards per game
This week Graceland hosts Missouri Valley College (2-4) from Marshall, Mo. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. at the Bruce Jenner Sports Complex.
10-12-04 Posteraro Special Teams Player of the Week
Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette has named Graceland punter Anthony Posteraro National Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in the October 9 game against Central Methodist University.Posteraro, a six-foot junior from Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada, punted five times for a 42-4 yards per kick average as the Yellowjackets defeated the Eagles 14-10. One punt went inside the 15, two went inside the 10-yard yard and he rumbled 10 yards on a bad snap for a first down and set up the game winning touchdown.
Posteraro leads the conference in punting average with 42.1 yards per punt. In five games, Posteraro has 16 punts for 674 total yards.
The Jackets host Missouri Valley College October 16 at the Bruce Jenner Sports Complex in Lamoni, Iowa at 1:30 p.m.
10-09-04 Football Team Wins 14-10 in Fayette
PhotosThe Graceland University Yellowjackets (3-1) traveled to Fayette, Mo. to take on the Eagles (2-2) of Central Methodist University in what would prove to be an exciting, low scoring football game on Saturday, October 9th.
The classic match-up featured the Yellowjackets high powered offence versus the stingy defense of the Eagles that was allowing a mere 14 points per game against, over their first four contests.
The Jackets came out firing right away and scored less than a minute into the ball game. Dante Johnson returned the opening kick 44 yards and on the very next play quarterback Clayton Braddock hit Anthony Rozier for a 54 yard touchdown strike. The Jackets appeared to be continuing right where the left off from the previous weeks rout over Evangel University 73-48.
The rest of the first quarter would be a stale mate as neither team scored. Pablo Moreno got his first of two interceptions early in the quarter to help the Yellowjackets’ defensive effort.
The second quarter was tough for the Jackets’ QB as Braddock gave up two interceptions to the Eagles’ powerful defense. The Graceland defense had to step up, for the team would not score in the second quarter and despite being on the field for a lot of minutes the defense only gave up seven points in the first half.
The third quarter went scoreless and Braddock continued to struggle as he gave up his third interception of the game. The GU defense held their ground through the quarter and Nathan Bennett picked up a fumble that would add some life into the Jackets. Towards the end of the third, punter Anthony Posteraro made the play of the game when he hauled in a high snap and scrambled for a Jacket first down; on the same possession Braddock ran it into the end zone from six yards out. The Jackets had their second lead of the game 14-7.
To start the fourth, the Eagles marched down the field, hit a field goal and close the gap to 14-10. The Jackets moved the ball with some success in the fourth but they were unable to get into scoring distance.
Posteraro went to work in what would prove to be his busiest game of the 2005 campaign and he left Central Methodist inside their 15 three times late in the battle for field position; two of which were inside the ten. On the day the junior punted five times averaging 42.4 yards per kick but most importantly leaving the Eagles deep in their own zone late in the game.
Moreno got his second interception late in the fourth and the Graceland defense completely shut down the Eagles in the final minutes of the game.
Jon Hoffman had eight solo and three assisted tackles, one tackle for a ten-yard loss, one sack and one forced fumble for the defense.
Graceland improved their record to 4-1 while Central Methodist would drop to 2-3.
The Jackets will be at home Saturday, October 16th when they will take on the Vikings of Missouri Valley College 1:30 p.m. in Lamoni, Iowa.
10-05-04 Braddock “Sweeps” Player of the Week Honors
Clayton Braddock of Graceland University (Iowa) has been named the NAIA Football Offensive Player of the Week, NAIAFOOTBALL.NET/Field Turf Co-Offensive Player of the Week, Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette NAIA National Offensive Player of the Week and Heart of America Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week for the week ending October 3, 2004.Braddock, a 6-foot sophomore quarterback from Grand Prairie, Texas, completed 15 of 33 attempts for 399 yards and five touchdowns in two and a half quarters in Graceland's 73-48 victory against Evangel University (Mo.). He also gained 18 yards on five carries. The victory was Braddock's third consecutive 300-plus yard game while setting a school record for points scored in a game with 73. On the season Graceland is now 3-1 as Braddock leads the NAIA in total offense with 337 yards per game.
The Graceland Yellowjackets are currently 27th in the nation, receiving 28 votes in this week’s Top 25 polls. The top team in the nation is Carroll College from Montana with a 5-0 record and 425 total voting points.
Graceland next travels to Fayette, Mo. to play Central Methodist University at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 9.
Braddock Video
Click here to watch quarterback Clayton Braddock in action against Evangel on October 2, courtesy of Jason Dannelly at www.NAIAFootball.net -- The Nation's Home for NAIA Football10-02-04 Graceland Ignites the Field With Offense
PhotosThe Graceland Yellowjackets had 732 total net yards in the 73-48 massacre of Evangel University for the 2004 Homecoming in Lamoni, Iowa.
The win is Graceland’s third win of the all-time series with Evangel, which now stands at 14-3. Evangel had won the past 13 meetings and won 38-23 last year in Springfield’s Plaster Sports Complex. Graceland’s only win on the field versus Evangel was a 13-10 win at Plaster in 1990. Graceland’s other win comes from 1988 when Evangel had to forfeit the entire season’s games.
The Jackets also broke the school’s all-time scoring record of 64 points, which was previously set September 13 against Iowa Wesleyan in 1986 under Coach Bill Dudek.
In what started as a slow scoring game, both teams picked up the pace with 3:53 left in the first quarter to end 21-24, Graceland on top. The first quarter lasted nearly one hour and 15 minutes due to the scoring drives of both teams. Graceland shut out the Crusaders in the second quarter 21-0 to go into the half up 45-21. Graceland added 21 more in the third and was actually outscored 31-7 in the fourth to end the game.
The first points of the game came from a 22 yard field goal from Danny Laguna, followed by Evangel’s counter attack of a 66-yard run from Demetric Phillips.
Graceland’s Dante Johnson started the scoring barrage with a 24-yard reception from quarterback Clayton Braddock, added to by Laguna’s extra point. Evangel struck back with a touchdown just one minute and 30 seconds later. Anthony Rozier caught a 57-yard pass from Braddock and found the end zone just twenty-three seconds later. Evangel kept the see-saw battle alive with a 74 yard pass play. Within one and a half minutes, Graceland ended the first quarter with Johnson’s 17 yard dance to the house.
The second quarter was all Graceland with touchdowns from Rozier’s 48-yard reception, Chris Howard’s three-yard run and Donva Louder’s 45-yard catch from Braddock.
At the half, Graceland had 417 total yards, compared to Evangel’s 170.
Junior linebacker Manny Espinoza highlighted the third quarter with his 35-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. Rozier and Johnson each had touchdowns in the third, for 32 and seven yards, respectively.
Graceland ended their scoring stampede with 10:36 left in the game on a one-yard run from Eric Boatwright. Evangel ended the scoring for the game with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Pablo Moreno led Graceland’s defense with 12 tackles, one forced fumble and two pass break ups. Reggie Cox had four tackles, two pass break ups and two interceptions for 37 yards. Jon Hoffman and Brandon Johnson each sacked the quarterback.
Graceland’s next game is Saturday, October 9 against Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
09-25-04 Jackets Clip Cards, 30-13
PhotosThe Graceland University football team traveled to Liberty, Mo. on Saturday, September 25 to take on the Cardinals of William Jewell College. The first half of the ball game would be a see-saw affair but in the second half the mighty Yellowjackets would prove to be too much for the Cardinals to handle.
Jewell started the scoring on the day with a 9-play 93 yard trek down the field that put the Jackets down 7-0 half way through the first quarter. On the following possession the Jackets put together an impressive 7-play 76 yard scoring run that was capped off with a two yard rush by quarterback Clayton Braddock. The game was evened up at 7-7 but late in the first quarter Jewell kicker Stephen Bader booted a 42-yard field goal to give the Cards a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Dante Johnson and Braddock hooked up early in the second quarter with a 35-yard touchdown strike that gave the Jackets their first lead of the ball game. Danny Laguna kicked the extra point and the Jackets led 14-10. With 4:38 left in the half Danny Laguna kicked a 30-yard field goal to add to the 17-10 Yellowjacket lead at the half.
Jewell scored first in the third quarter when Bader hit his second field goal from 38 yards but that would be all for the Cards offense as Graceland’s defense shut the door for the rest of the game and not allow another point.
Braddock and Johnson hooked up for another touchdown of 56 yards in the third quarter and late in the same quarter Braddock rushed 14 yards for the game’s final score and Graceland came out on top 30-13.
The Yellowjackets posted a total of 497 yards of offense, almost doubling Jewell’s total of 290 total yards. Leading the way was quarterback Clayton Braddock who completed 23 of 34 passes for a total of 314 yards. Braddock, who threw for two touchdowns, also ran it in for two scores on the day. Both touchdown passes were caught by Dante Johnson who had scores of 35 and 56 yards.
Anthony Ferguson caught four passes for a total of 43 yards and Chris Howard caught 3 passes for 36 yards that was added to his 100 yards rushing on the day. Julius Strong rushed for 53 yards on 7 carries and rounding out the double-digit rushers was Braddock who scrambled for 20.
On the defensive side of the ball Craig Hidy was the team leader in tackles as he was in on 11 tackles one of which was for a loss of 3 yards. Nathan Bennett and Manny Espinoza were also among the tackle leaders on the day and both made tackles for loss and had pass break-ups. Dominique Randle El had the only sack for the Jackets, to go along with his four tackles.
This weekend at Graceland’s Homecoming, the Yellowjackets host Evangel University from Springfield, Mo. on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Bruce Jenner Sports Complex in Lamoni, Iowa.
09-14-04 Braddock National Player of the Week
Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette has named Yellowjacket quarterback Clayton Braddock a Football Gazette NAIA National Offensive Player of the Week.Braddock, a six-foot, 200-pound, sophomore from Grande Prairie, Texas, completed 22-of-37 passes for 382 yards and four touchdowns in the Yellowjackets’ 32-24 win over Benedictine (KS) College. He also rushed 15 times for 39 yards and 421 total offensive yards for the day.
The Jackets’ next game is Saturday, September 25 against William Jewell College. Kick-off is at 1:30 p.m. in Liberty, Mo.
09-11-04 Football Home Opener a Community Success
The Graceland University football team took care of business on the field by defeating #13 Benedictine University 32-24 on Saturday night and a large part of the Graceland family took care of business off the field.The Yellowjacket men’s and women’s soccer teams showed up in full support of their brothers of the grid iron and gave a lightshow in the stands with hand-held sparklers that pumped up the near capacity crowd.
Pettijohn’s Auto Center sponsored a mini-football giveaway that saw numerous souvenirs tossed into the crowd at the end of the first quarter.
At the half COSA got in on the action by handing out snacks to all that were in attendance.
Following the game Flashing Thunder Fireworks Spectacular of Mitchell, Iowa, put on a dynamic fireworks display that was sponsored by Jerome and Jeremy Mostek.
The Yellowjackets were rewarded with a win on the field and after the game The Pizza Shack and the Graceland University Football Alumni Club rewarded the team and coaches with 50 delicious pizzas.
The 2004 home opener was a true team effort that can only be topped on October 2nd when the whole Graceland Community will gather around the team for Homecoming 2004.
09-11-04 Yellowjackets Sting #13 Ravens
PhotosThe Graceland University Yellowjacket football team upset #13 Benedictine College 32-24 in Lamoni, IA, Saturday, September 11th.
Graceland (0-1) opened their 2004 home schedule by defeating the Ravens of Benedictine College (0-1) in a seesaw battle that was hard fought and exciting for the near capacity crowd.
Yellowjacket Anthony Ferguson caught a nine-yard pass from Clayton Braddock at 6:21 in the first quarter to open the game’s scoring. Danny Laguna kicked the extra point and it was 7-0 Graceland. Five minutes later the Ravens struck back with a 16-yard run by John Willits. Billy Schaffer added the extra point and the first quarter ended with a 7-7 deadlock.
The only score of the second quarter saw Braddock air it out to Anthony Rozier who juked four defensive players on his way to a 39-yard score. A botched snap squashed the extra point attempt but Graceland hit the locker room with a 13-7 lead at the half.
Benedictine struck first in the second half with a 12-play, 62-yard offensive rush that was capped off with a two-yard run by Ian Thatcher. Schaffer added the extra point and Benedictine had their first and only lead of the game.
Shortly after the Ravens scored, the Jackets pulled off a fake reverse that set Anthony Rozier in the clear and he scored his second TD on an easy 49-yard pass from Braddock.
The Ravens once again marched down the field but a Ron Strozyk sack forced Benedictine to settle for a 21-yard field goal by the way of Schaffer’s foot. The Graceland lead was cut to 20-17 at the end of the third quarter.
Half way through the fourth Braddock hooked up with Julius Strong on a 34-yard pass play. Once again a failed snap killed the Jackets extra point attempt. Graceland now had a 26-17 lead.
The game ended with each team scoring in the last minute. Benedictine scored on a five-yard pass then attempted an on-side kick that was smothered by the Jackets. Graceland’s final score came on a 43-yard run by Julius Strong. Graceland’s kicking game continued to struggle with another missed point after but the 32-24 score proved to be the final.
Graceland amassed a total of 532 yards on offense: 382 though the air and 150 on the ground. Benedictine passed for 213 yards and ran for another 194.
Jacket Quarterback Clayton Braddock went 22-37 for 382 yards with four TD strikes. The only chink in Braddock’s shimmering armor was he did give up three interceptions on the day.
Anthony Ferguson caught seven passes for 67 yards and one TD. Anthony Rozier snared five balls for a game high 163 yards and two TDs. Dante Johnson grabbed five passes for a total of 60 yards, and rounding out the air attack’s leaders was Donva Louder who caught four passes for 58 yards.
The Graceland running game was lead by Julius Strong who rumbled for 99 yards on 16 carries, one of which was a touchdown. Braddock had 15 carries for a total of 39 yards, and rounding out the running game was Ryan Hefta who picked up 16 yards on seven carries.
The Jackets had a great team effort on defense that was lead by Ron Strozyk who was in on eight tackles, three of which were for losses equaling 11 yards. Strozyk’s two sacks were accompanied by one sack by Tony Ingram.
Graceland’s tackles leader on the day was Cedric Taylor who made 10 total tackles. Pablo Moreno was right behind Taylor with nine, while Strozyk stopped eight Raven plays. Manny Espinoza, Ingram, Brandon Johnson and Dominique Randle El each had six tackles on the day.
Rounding out the defensive standouts were Jay Hightower who had an interception and a blocked punt, and Reggie Cox who picked off one Raven pass.
All in all the Jackets had a great team effort that improved their HAAC and season record to 1-1. Their were a few miss cues on the day but Head Coach Cris Welch now has two weeks to iron out the kinks as football has a bye next week then travels to Liberty, Mo. to take on the Cardinals of William Jewell College on September 25th.
09-04-04 Jackets Drop Season Opener to Lindenwood
PhotosThe Graceland University football team dropped their 2004 season opener to the Lions of Lindenwood University by a final score of 56-12.
The final score was a little misleading as the Jackets kept pace with the Lions in most offensive categories, but the Lions were a team of big play scores. The Yellowjackets gained 309 total yards of offense while Lindenwood gained 409. Passing yards were in favor of the Lions 183-182 but the big difference came on the ground as Lindenwood ran for 226 yards to Graceland’s 127.
The Yellowjacket’s quarterback Clayton Braddock threw for 182 yards in a 17-25 performance. Braddock’s only TD pass of the game was a connection with senior wide receiver Dante Johnson who caught five passes for 50 total yards. The Jackets other senior wide out Anthony Rozier snared four passes for a total of 40 yards. The only other Jacket to have a multi-catch game was transfer Donva Louder who made two catches for 21 yards.
Julius Strong had a good start to the 2004 campaign as he rushed for 75 yards on 18 carries with a long of 21 yards. Transfer Chris Howard scored the Jackets’ other TD as he rushed for 26 yards on 12 carries.
On the defensive side of the ball Pablo Moreno led the team with six tackles. Nathan Bennett also had six tackles, one of which was for a four yard loss. The defense of the Jackets had a decent day as they made 15 total tackles for loss in the game. Brandon Johnson, Irvin Gibbs and Michael Rowe each had sacks for the Graceland defensive unit.
Michael Richardson got the only pick for the Jackets as he rumbled for 44 yards after he intercepted the pass.
Another bright spot for Graceland was the play of their special teams. Anthony Posteraro only had one punt on the day but he boomed a 59 yard kick.
Donva Louder did the bulk of the returning duties for the Jackets as he returned six kickoffs for a total of 172 yards and he returned two punts for another 16 yards. Dante Johnson, who was a 2003 all-conference returner, had one kick return in the game and he returned it for 20 yards and Anthony Rozier also had one return that he brought back for 11 yards.
The Jackets may have come up short on the scoreboard but they faced a much improved Lions team who should compete for a HAAC championship in 2004.
The Jackets next game will be their 2004 home opener versus the Ravens of Benedictine College on September 11.
08-16-04 Graceland Student-Athletes Begin Fall Preseason Practices
After two full days of orientation this weekend, Graceland University’s 2004 fall student-athletes began work on the playing fields on Monday, August 16.Student-athletes from the men’s and women’s cross country, football, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball teams started preseason practices early Monday morning and finished late Monday night for the first day of the 2004 season.
Due to anticipated heat, teams are practicing outside early in the morning, hitting the weight room and the swimming pool in the afternoon and return outside for evening workouts.
