Lindsey Wilson heads to Grand View University for the Quarterfinals of the NAIA Football Championship Series, and in my opinion, it’s the most intriguing matchup of the weekend because of what both teams have accomplished this season.
Entering the year, we expected LWU to improve and potentially make a postseason push. They’ve blown past those expectations. Now they get a shot at the No. 1 team in the NAIA—a true measuring stick for how far they’ve come in their quest to return to national championship form.
Last week’s comeback win over Indiana Wesleyan showed there’s absolutely no quit in the Blue Raiders. After falling behind 24–0, LWU erupted for a 57–31 victory behind the steady play of QB Tate Rice, who threw for 382 yards and four touchdowns. Max Gainey accounted for 188 of those yards and a score, while Khia Sherrard has also emerged as a reliable target. Still, the backbone of LWU’s offense all season has been the run game. Davontaye Saunders has been one of the NAIA’s best backs, eclipsing 100 yards seven times, while Stevin Mack has added two 100-yard performances of his own.
Defensively, LWU was sparked last weekend by Khaleb Bridges, who delivered an incredible four interceptions and nine tackles. Cameron Rankins leads the team on the season with 81 tackles, 5.5 TFL, and two forced fumbles. Up front, Darius Moore and Troy Churchill bring the pressure as the team’s top pass rushers.
Grand View, meanwhile, rolled St. Francis (Ind.) 62–20 in a blizzard—a performance few thought possible given the conditions. Returning NAIA Player of the Year Jackson Waring turned in another elite outing, completing 14 of 19 passes for 247 yards and five touchdowns, while also adding a rushing score. The Vikings’ ground game has been a committee effort, with Dalten Van Pelt, Bryant Williams, and Ethan Schultz all contributing meaningful carries. On the perimeter, Aisea Toki provides the big-play threat, with Triston Williams and Jordan Kumm giving Waring a deep receiver group. Tight end Lance Clayburg is also a proven red-zone weapon with six touchdowns. The true engine of this offense, though, is an offensive line that is arguably the best—and at worst among the top two—in the NAIA.
Defensively, Grand View can attack from every angle. Linebacker John Argo leads the way with 85 tackles, 12.5 TFL, and four interceptions, while playing alongside returning All-American Cade Sheedy. Up front, Jackson “The Wolf” Filer continues to terrorize opposing offenses with 7 sacks, 15 TFL, and 53 total tackles. In the secondary, Tucker Dickherber leads the team with six interceptions and Kellen Moore adds four picks and 60 tackles.
Grand View hasn’t faced a team as talented as LWU since their early-season win over Benedictine. The Vikings will see a different level of speed and physicality than they’ve experienced in recent weeks. But they’ll be ready—and so will the Blue Raiders.
This is, without question, the most compelling game on Saturday’s schedule, and we’ll be watching every minute..
Game Broadcast Link via Urban Edge Network
Prediction: Grand View 35 Lindsey Wilson 27
*Stat images are regular season totals.
