McPHERSON, Kan. (MacBulldogs.com) — Six Sterling College turnovers, including a pair of interceptions returned for touchdowns, fueled the McPherson College to a 42-30 win in its home opener Saturday evening (Sept. 7) at McPherson Stadium home of Paul Family Field.
Both of the defensive scores for the Bulldogs came in the second quarter. Jaquez Wilson got the party started, picking off Rocklin Baptista and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown. Then, Nehemiah Figueroa joined in with the first of his three interceptions on the very next drive, scoring from 65 yards out.
The Bulldogs had five interceptions, which is the most in a game since 2022. This marks the fifth consecutive win for the Bulldogs over Sterling College.
MC got off to a fast start, when Tristan Szabo found Traven Lewis-Johnsondown the sideline for a 56-yard touchdown, then Brysen Kerby pushed the Bulldogs lead to 14-0 with a four-yard rush.
However, things turned from there, as the Warriors scored 17 unanswered points, including a pair of touchdown runs by Jordan Slocum and Kendrick Bell.
That’s when the Bulldogs defense took over, giving MC a 28-17 advantage at the break.
The Warriors opened the third quarter with the ball, but Jacob Goad quickly gave it back to the Bulldog offense at the 14-yard line with a sack-fumble recovered by Lester Amos III. Kerby made them pay, punching it in from a yard out.
MC finished with 186 yards rushing, led by Jalil Brown with 69 yards and a touchdown. Szabo added 49 yards on the ground, and Kerby finished with 36 yards.
Sterling made things interesting late, scoring on a 26-yard pass from Baptista to Ryan Stucky, then Dexter Walker Jr. picked off Szabo and returned it to cut it to a 35-30 Bulldog lead.
The Bulldogs went three-and-out on their next possession, before Figueroa’s third interception of the night halted a Warrior drive, setting the stage for a 36-yard touchdown rush by Brown on the next play and sealing the victory.
MC hits the road next Saturday (Sept. 14), traveling to the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kan. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m.
