The NCAA Division II playoffs contest featuring the powerhouse Grand Valley State University Lakers hosting the Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions Saturday was an offensive show from the Lakers. In front of 3,081 in attendance, including some Lions fans, A&M-Commerce couldn’t pull off the victory against one of the most successful teams in college football. The Lions lost 55-32.
The stars of the game were GVS quarterback Bart Williams, running back Marty Carter and Lions wide receiver Buck Wilson. Wilson had two touchdowns and 100 total yards. Carter had 226 total yards and one touchdown. Williams completed 17 of 26 passes. Lions Head Coach Colby Carthel said,“They’re a quality team in all phases, that’s the best offensive team we’ve encountered since I’ve been here.” The Lions offensively dropped several catchable passes they’ve completed most of their season (completed 26 passes out of 51, 6.3 yard att, 12.3 completed).
GVS’s Head Coach Matt Mitchell was direct about how his team played Saturday. “Their run game kept us on our toes but we stay true to what we do,” said Lakers running back Marty Carter.
In the first quarter the Lions received the ball first but couldn’t convert on third down. The Lakers defense swarmed A&M-Commerce and quickly scored a field goal putting the Lakers on the board first. The Lions caught a break when the Lakers had a holding call and wide receiver Justice Luce deflected a possible Laker interception which led to a Lions field goal. On the following GVS possession they went for the fourth down but weren’t able to convert as linebacker Garrett Blubaugh stopped the run short of the first down. However on the following A&M-Commerce possession two penalty calls moved the Lions back and they were never able to convert. Kicker Hector Dominguez punted the ball and had a great tackle to stop the Lakers from a possible touchdown punt return. Lakers wide receiver Nick Dodson scored their first touchdown in 4 plays, 41 yard drive in 1:35, 10-3. A GVS interception after the Lions hit the field for a 24 yard return. Wide receiver Brandon Bean had an impressive 25 yard drive for the Lakers as he leaped for a touchdown. Wilson gave the Lions their best field position all quarter after a punt return of 25 yards. Most of the quarter was played by the Lakers on the Lions side of the 50.
Running back Richard Cooper set up the lions with a 24 yard run, D’Arthur Cowan received a 24 yard pass from Luis Perez putting the Lions in the red zone. Wilson gave A&M-Commerce their first touchdown with a 9 yard pass from Perez at the top of the 2nd quarter in 8 plays, 70 yards in 2:59, 17-10.Defensive lineman Tavita Faaiu sacked top Lakers rusher Carter allowing the Lions to stop them on the possession. Holding on the Lakers offense moved them back to their own 37 but Bart Williams pass to Dodson for 24 yards put the Lakers on the Lions 39 setting up a Lakers touchdown in 12 plays, 96 plays 4:53, 24-10. Wilson caught a 68 yard pass from Perez at 3rd and 3 for his second touchdown of the game in 3 plays 75 yards 52 seconds, 24-17. Lions Devonta Leary sacked Williams for a loss of 6 yards but it didn’t stop the Lakers from scoring a 7 yard touchdown in 9 plays 81 yards 4:20, 31-17. Wide receiver Darby Smith had an impressive sideline catch for 23 yards with a minute left in the half but the Lions ran out the clock to go into the half, 31-17 Lakers on top.
At the half the Carter already had 152 rushing yards. Williams passed for 4 touchdowns and 163 yards, and was sacked twice. Wilson owned the Lions only touchdowns with two and 84 total yards. Bean lead the Lakers with 2 touchdowns and 61 total yards.
The Lakers come out of the half moving the ball down the field efficiently putting them within striking distance of the red zone. However Yuesf Sterling-Lowe had other plans scoring a 97 yard touchdown interception at the Lions 3, 31-24. It was his 4th pick of the season and 23rd for the team of the season. GVS’ running back Terrell Dorsey scored a 2 yard rushing touchdown, 38-24. Two unsuccessful passes by the Lions in the next drive and a failed trick play by Dominguez set the Lakers at the the Lions 45. Carter tracked the ball down for the GVS leading to 4 yard touchdown leap, 45-24. He was the difference maker for the Lakers in the third. He scored, found the first down and was relentless against the Lions defense rushing for 212 yards.
In the final quarter of play GVS finally kicked another field goal with 12:33 left in game, 48-24. Lions receiver Lance Evans had an impressive catch from Perez for 43 yards on the GVS 29 then completed the drive with a 13 yard touchdown, 48-32. Wilson tacked on the extra 2 points but it wasn’t enough to pull off a comeback. A Lakers interception with under 5 minutes left, leading to a 12 yard touchdown sealed GVS’ victory, 55-32 the final.
Game notes from Lionathletics.com can be found here.
