By JAMES BROWN
WCLU Sports
Luke Simmons helped Lindsey Wilson overcome a 24-0 deficit to win in the second round of the NAIA football playoffs on Saturday.
Simmons, a sophomore offensive guard for the Blue Raiders and former Glasgow Scottie, helped open holes for Davontaye Saunders as he rushed for three touchdowns. Those three rushing TDs gave Saunders 20 on the season, which broke the single-season record held by Jalen Sublett. The former Glasgow back set the record at Lindsey of 18 in 2016.
Also behind the offensive line, quarterback threw for 382 yards and was named NAIA Offensive Player of the Game.
The Blue Raider (10-1) defense forced six Indiana Wesleyan (9-3) turnovers with five interceptions. The six turnovers are the highest since Sept. 7, 2024, against Point, while the five interceptions are the most since Oct. 25, 2014, against Belhaven. Khaleb Bridges earned NAIA Defensive Player of the Game honors, recording nine tackles and a program-record four interceptions. Howie Gant led the Lindsey Wilson defense with 14 tackles, while Jamarques Frank added 12 and an interception.
Indiana Wesleyan led 24-0 with 1:57 remaining in the first half. Lindsey Wilson finally broke through on the scoreboard with an eight-play, 79-yard drive. Rice found Saunders for 28 yards with seven seconds remaining in the half. Rice then connected with Khia Sherrard on the two-point conversion to make it 24-8 going into halftime.
Indiana Wesleyan opened the third quarter with the ball. On the fourth play of the drive, Bridges recorded his first interception, giving the Blue Raiders the ball on their own 40. Lindsey Wilson capitalized on the turnover with a 10-yard rushing touchdown from Saunders. Going for two again, Rice this time found Taborie Reed to make it 24-16 with 10:53 to play in the third quarter.
The Blue Raiders kept the momentum in their favor, forcing a three-and-out on the next Wildcats drive. On the first play of the Lindsey Wilson drive, Rice found Sherrard for 56 yards setting up the Blue Raiders on the Indiana Wesleyan 20. Three plays later, Saunders ran for his second touchdown to make it 24-22 with 8:05 remaining in the quarter. The Blue Raiders’ two-point attempt was unsuccessful, keeping it a two-point game.
Bridges recorded his second interception on the next Wildcat drive, returning the ball to the Indiana Wesleyan 36. On the second play of the drive, Rice connected with Gainey for 34 yards, giving Lindsey Wilson its first lead at 29-24 with 5:21 left in the third. The Blue Raiders did not trail again in the game.
Lindsey Wilson plays at No. 1 Grand View on Saturday at noon in the quarterfinals of the playoffs.
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