Bulldogs’ senior day highlighted by a win against Doane

Photo description: Junior Austin Jablonski trying to catch the ball

Photo credit: Josiah Seabaugh

Maddy Peters

Sports Editor

The Concordia football team celebrated senior day with a massive win against school rival Doane University Saturday afternoon, beating the Tigers 55-26.

20 seniors were recognized before the game began, receiving tool belts along with their tassels. The seniors from the cheer and dance team were recognized as well. From cheer: Kaitlyn Foley, Tori Perry, Lizzie Schultz and Shelby Timmerman. From dance: Aubrey Baumann, Avery Lewis, Stephanie Mashuga and Maddie Wittstruck.

The scoring started on Concordia’s first drive of the game with a three-yard rush by senior Devin Ziegler. Doane responded with a touchdown of their own to tie the game up. Junior quarterback DJ McGarvie did not let that slide and sent a 63-yard pass to fellow junior Austin Jablonski to send the lead right back to the Bulldogs. The first quarter ended with another touchdown pass by McGarvie to senior Carsen Arline for 12 yards.

The second quarter was a much more defensive struggle between the teams. Doane made a 45-yard field goal with nine minutes left. With a little under four minutes left in the half, McGarvie threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to senior Luke Lang to end the half 28-10 for Concordia.

The beginning of the third quarter was difficult for either team to gain ground. That changed when sophomore Jaden Seier intercepted a pass from Doane’s quarterback Cruz Kirwan in the endzone for a touchback. Concordia marched down the field and scored off a one-yard rush from McGarvie.

On Doane’s next drive, sophomore Carson Fehlhafer forced a fumble that was picked up by freshman Deegan Barnes who returned it right to the endzone for another touchdown. There was no more scoring in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter started midway through a Doane drive that resulted in a touchdown. The Tigers would score another touchdown on their next drive as well. McGarvie, however, was not done yet and threw a fourth touchdown pass for the day; a six-yard pass to sophomore Max Bartels.

Junior CJ Dyhrkopp picked off another pass from Doane’s Kirwan to start off another scoring drive for the Bulldogs midway through the last quarter. A different quarterback stood in the pocket for the final touchdown of the day. Sophomore Gideon Stark threw a five-yard pass to senior Mason Edwards to bring the final score to 55-26. Freshman kicker Peyton Atwood’s final kick was no good.

McGarvie threw 26 passes on 45 attempts for a 58 percent pass succession rate and a total of 364 yards. Stark made both of his pass attempts for a total of 21 passing yards.

McGarvie had a fantastic game including two school records. He now holds the career passing touchdown record with 52 passing touchdowns and the career passing yards record with 6,514 yards. His passing touchdown record surpasses Von Thomas and Jarrod Pimentel who were tied with 49 touchdowns. His other record breaks Pimentel’s record of 6,435 passing yards.

“It’s all a team record,” said McGarvie, “The o-line blocks hits really well and the wide receivers I’ve had so far just help me out tremendously.”

Junior Mark Arp was the lead rusher for the day with 32 yards on nine attempts. As usual, Jablonski was the lead receiver taking 10 passes for a total of 156 yards. Jabo also became the second Concordia receiver to have over 1,000 receiving yards in one season.

Barnes was top tackler for the day with 11 total tackles, seven solos and four assists. Junior Devon Polley had the single sack for the game pushing Doane back 10 yards.

Head Coach Patrick Daberkow was ecstatic that this was the last home game of the season and that this was how his seniors would be sent out.

“It’s fun to beat a rival school by what we beat them by today and see the guys play well and respond well and fight,” said Daberkow, “It’s always fun to celebrate and have the locker room [joyful]. It’s just fun to share and enjoy with the guys who have worked so hard and see that pay off.”

The seniors hold a special place in Daberkow’s heart as he appreciated the drive each player has shown on the field and in practice.

“I’ve said everything I want to say to the seniors, you know?” said Daberkow, “Every one of them has taken a unique path to get to where they’re at and has a unique journey. Some of them have played a lot, and some of them have barely played at all, but all of them have fought, all of them are better for the experience, all of them are equipped to be leaders in their home and their workplace and their relationships and so I’m just proud; couldn’t be more proud of the group and I’ll miss them, they’re a lot of fun. They have been a huge blessing to coach and they’re just a lot of fun to be around.”

One of the celebrated seniors, Carson Core, proposed to his girlfriend following the game to the cheers of the crowd. She said yes.

The football team now has a 4-5 record and plays their last game of the season against Mount Marty University on Nov. 11 in Yankton, S.D. at 1 p.m.