[Football] Jansen's Field Goal Lifts No. 4 Grand View Over Culver-Stockton

Canton, Missouri – No. 4 Grand View stayed undefeated in Heart Divisional play thanks to a 40-yard field goal by Brady Jansen (JR/Johnston, IA./Johnston HS) with 0:13 left to go in the contest. The Vikings defeated the Wildcats of Culver-Stockton 29-27. Grand View overcame a 9-21 first-quarter deficit to come away with the victory. The Vikings improved to 7-1 overall and 3-0 in the division, while the Wildcats fall to 2-7 overall and 0-3 in the North.

It was an ominous start for the Vikings as the Wildcats intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. The early error resulted in Grand View finding themselves in an early 0-7 disadvantage.

After this initial stop by Culver-Stockton neither defense, neither team seemed to be able to keep the other off of the scoreboard. The Vikings would score on their next 4 drives, while the Wildcats would score on their next 2.

Grand View used 6:00 of clock and 12 plays to travel 71 yards downfield. The Vikings found themselves on Culver-Stockton's 3-yard line but were forced to settle for a field goal from 20 yards out. The drive was highlighted by good back-to-back runs by Arthur Braden (FR/Bettendorf, IA / Bettendorf HS ) and Jerry Lowe (JR/Tama, IA./ South Tama HS.) for 22 and 19 yards respectively.

The Vikings, however, were trading field goals with touchdowns as the Wildcats scored once again on their next possession putting Grand View in a deeper hole of 3-14.

Grand View was given great field position by Hunter Tyree (FR/Pleasant Hill, IA / SEP HS) who returned the kickoff 46 yards and give the offense a start at midfield. The big runs kept coming for the Vikings as Lowe cracked off another one. This time the big back rumbled in from 35 yards out for a Grand View touchdown. A failed PAT made the score 9-14.

The Wildcats scored a third straight touchdown on their next drive, removing the ground that the Vikings had made up and placed them into a 9-21 hole at the completion of the first quarter of play.

The Viking's would create a giant momentum swing to begin the second quarter. Following a 25-yard field goal by Jansen, Jordan Perkins (JR/Fontana, CA. / Alta Loma) intercepted the Wildcat quarterback on the first play of the drive. This gave Grand View the ball at the Culver-Stockton 36-yard line.

Ben Ferkin (SO/Waukee, IA./ Waukee HS) would connect with Gabe Richey (JR/Panora, IA./ Panorama HS) for a 29-yard pass play and then finish the job himself as he carried the ball in from a yard out. By 9:32 left in the second quarter, the Vikings had reduced the deficit to 19-21. Neither team would find its way back into the end zone before the end of the first half.

Grand View reentered the field strong after the halftime intermission. The defensive unit began on the field and forced a 3-and-out. Cameron Maxfield (SO/Bettendorf, IA / Bettendorf HS) and Joshua Sifuentes (SO/Houston, TX / North Shore HS) had a tackle for loss and a sack respectively that totaled 11 yards lost. Ferkin connected with Braden from 7 yards out to give the Vikings their first lead of the game at 26-21 with 10:47 on the game clock.

Points were sparse to come by in the 3rd-quarter of play as the Ferkin-Braden touchdown would be the only scoring that occurred.

The Wildcats had one more strong drive in them. The home team would travel 79 yards and score a touchdown with 3:51 left on the game clock. The Viking defense was able to stop Culver-Stockton's 2-point attempt and gave the offense a chance to come back onto the field trailing 26-27.

The Viking offense had their back against the wall following the Wildcat score. Grand View would use 11 plays and Culver-Stockton miscues to continue their trip downfield. The Vikings almost sealed their own fate following a Ferkin fumble, but the signal-caller fell on top of his own loose ball. Ferkin would make up for it in a big way as he connected with Jacob Lietz (JR/Colfax, IA./ Colfax-Mingo HS) for 18 yards to put the Vikings on the Wildcat 23-yard line.

Unable to get any closer, Head Coach Mike Woodley turned to his kicker for a 40-yard attempt and a chance to go up with seconds remaining. Culver-Stockton tried to ice Jansen calling 2 timeouts before finally letting him give the kick a try. When the Johnston product finally got his chance, he made the most of it drilling his kick and giving his team a 29-27 lead with 0:13 left on the game clock.

The Wildcats would have time to run a couple plays, but neither of the passes were completed and the Vikings would return home victorious.  

Keys of the Game…

Grand overcame a 9-21 1st-quarter deficit and won on a 40-yard field goal with 0:13 left on the game clock.

The Vikings outgained the Wildcats 397 total yards to 221 total yards and dominated the time of possession 36:37 to 23:15 respectively.

After a rough start, the Viking defense clamps down on the Wildcat offense. After Culver-Stockton's first 2 drives in which they scored 2 touchdowns, the defensive unit held them to 56 total yards the rest of the game.

Players of Note...

Ben Ferkin completed 19 of his 34 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown. Ferkin also ran for a touchdown.

For the second straight game, Jerry Lowe ran for 157 yards. His longest carry was of 35 yards in which he also found the end zone for his lone touchdown of the afternoon.

Jacob Lietz led the Vikings in receiving yards with 86 yards on 4 catches. He caught the longest pass of the day at 51 yards. He also connected with Ferkin late in the 4th-quarter to set up the winning field goal.

The Grand View defense was led by Justin Carroll (JR/Dickinson, IX. / Victor Valley CC) who recorded 8 total tackles, including a sack. The unit pressured the Wildcats into submission for most of the afternoon. Ben Slavens (JR/Bettendorf, IA./ Pleasant Valley HS), Brian Grace (JR/Salinas, CA. / Hartnell CC), Cameron Maxfield, Joshua Sifuentes, and Brandon McCracken (SR/Parkersburg, IA./A-P HS) all recorded sacks or tackles for loss.

Brady Jansen connected on 2/3 PAT's and 3/4 field goal attempts. This included the game-winner from 40 yards out.

Up Next…

No. 4 Grand View hosts No. 8 Benedictine in what could be the deciding game for the North Division crown. The Ravens are currently 8-1 overall and 3-0 in the division after a 35-0 win over the William Penn Statesmen. Kickoff is set for 2:30 PM. Check back with gvvikings.com for a complete recap and follow the Vikings on social media (@VikingAthletics) for in-game updates.