By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
JOPLIN, Mo. – Josh Clark had his first career 100-yard rushing game, Caleb Heavner accounted for three touchdowns and Fort Hays State extended its winning streak in Joplin to seven games with a 28-21 win over Missouri Southern State Saturday afternoon at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. The Tigers have now won 11 of their last 12 against the Lions.
Fort Hays State (4-2, 3-1 MIAA) rushed for a season-high 254 yards led by Clark's career-best 116. Quarterback Caleb Heavner added 94 on the ground and rushed for two touchdowns.
Heavner's 12-yard touchdown run on the Tigers first possession gave them the early lead. The Lions (2-3, 0-3 MIAA) answered with a 70-yard touchdown pass on their second possession to tie the game 7-7. The Tigers took the lead back for good early in the second quarter when Zane Hall connected on a 32-yard field goal. Later in the quarter, Heavner found Cale Cormaney for a 16-yard touchdown pass to put the Tigers up 17-7. For a second-straight game, the Tigers allowed a touchdown pass on the final play of the first half, this time a 34-yard pass from freshman quarterback TIllman Martin to Isaiah Padello to pull MSSU within 17-14 at halftime.
John Johnson forced a fumble on the first play of the third quarter which set up a 39-yard field goal by Hall, pushing the Tiger lead to 20-14. The Tiger defense forced punts on the next two Lions possessions and eventually extended their lead to 28-14 early in the fourth quarter on a goal line plunge by Heavner. The scoring play was set up by a 58-yard rush by Clark down to the two yard line.
An interception by Michael Chavez on MSSU's first drive of the fourth quarter helped the Tigers chew up more time. The Lions eventually scored a touchdown with a 4th-down, goal line plunge by Martin with 1:11 remaining in the game. The Tigers secured a pooch kick, but had to punt with 19 seconds remaining in the game. The Lions were called for a penalty on the punt which gave the Tigers a first down which allowed them to run out the clock.
In addition to his big game running the ball, Heavner threw for 125 yards and a touchdown. Keyshawn Dooley led the Tigers with 31 receiving yards..
Johnson led the Tiger defense with 10 tackles, the forced fumble which gave him a sack, and a pass breakup. Gavin Meyers added nine tackles, while Chavez also had eight tackles and a sack that created a fumble that set up the Cormaney touchdown in the second quarter.
Freshman Tillman Martin threw for 322 yards for MSSU but the Lions produced just 65 rushing yards.
Up next
The Tigers return home to play host to 2024 MIAA champion Central Oklahoma on Saturday (Oct. 11) at 7 p.m. The Bronchos entered Saturday 2-2 overall and 2-1 in the MIAA.