Warriors’ Comeback Attempt Falls Short

SALINA, Kan. – Midland University wrapped up its regular season on Thursday night with a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) matchup at Kansas Wesleyan University, falling 20-13 to the Coyotes at JRI Stadium.

Both teams traded punts on their opening drives before Kansas Wesleyan struck first. On their second possession, quarterback Chihiro Iwata capped a seven-play drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Ava Duerr. After a successful one-point conversion, the Coyotes led 7-0 with 3:17 left in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Kansas Wesleyan's drive stalled, and Midland took over at its own 8-yard line. However, on the second play from scrimmage, Angel Ioane Kaio's pass was intercepted by Aliyah Wood at the Warriors' 24-yard line. Eight plays later, Iwata found Wood for a 4-yard touchdown pass. The conversion attempt failed, and Kansas Wesleyan took a 13-0 lead into halftime.

The Coyotes opened the second half with an 11-play scoring drive, finished off by a 3-yard touchdown pass from Iwata to Yui Watanabe. The successful conversion made it 20-0 with 2:08 left in the third quarter.

Midland responded early in the fourth with a 13-play drive, capped by a 3-yard touchdown run by Ioane Kaio. The extra point was good, cutting the deficit to 20-7 with 8:47 remaining.

Kansas Wesleyan ran more than six minutes off the clock on its next possession, but the drive ended with an interception by Allaya Livingston at the Midland goal line.

The Warriors quickly capitalized. On fourth-and-one, Ioane Kaio connected with Emily Ferron for a 41-yard touchdown pass. The conversion attempt failed, and with 46 seconds left, the Coyotes held a 20-13 lead. Kansas Wesleyan ran out the clock in five plays to secure the win.

The Coyotes outgained the Warriors 258-130 in total offense. Ioane Kaio completed 13-of-27 passes for 130 yards with one touchdown and one interception. She also rushed five times for 14 yards and a score. Ferron finished with three receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Nadiya Simpson led Midland with seven tackles, while Livingston added two tackles and an interception.

Iwata completed 25-of-36 passes for 209 yards with three touchdowns and one interception to lead Kansas Wesleyan. Soriah Tafua had four receptions for 50 yards. Watanabe added three catches for 18 yards and a touchdown. Duerr had four grabs for 38 yards and a score, and Wood recorded three receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Alexa Ansur and Lexi Marquez each had three tackles. Wood added a tackle and an interception.

Midland (8-7, 4-4 KCAC) will participate in an exhibition game at the Husker Games on Saturday, April 26, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln before starting postseason play. The Warriors will compete in the 2025 NAIA Flag Football Invitational, May 5-6, in Kansas City, Kansas.