Alma, MI – Football made history once again on Saturday when they hosted the Britons of Albion College. The game had massive implications with two 9-0 teams meeting with an MIAA Championship on the line. Alma was victorious 34-31, picking up their first MIAA Championship since 2004, and becoming the first team in Alma history to win 10 games in a single season.

This game truly lived up to the billing of a conference championship between two undefeated teams. The Scots got off to a great start with the defense snagging an interception just a few plays into the game. The Scots would turn around and capitalize, with Eddie Williams punching the rock into the endzone to give the Scots a 7-0 lead. Albion responded with a pair of big touchdowns through the air to take a 14-7 lead that would carry them to the end of the first quarter.

Alma responded to open the second quarter immediately. On a play where Carter St, John appeared to be in big trouble, the freshman threw off of his back foot, and found a leaping Cole Thomas in the endzone to bring things level at 14-14. Albion wasn't deterred, and the Britons found a way to score once more through the air to take a 21-14 lead, which would hold into the half.

Out of the half, the Scots were flying, Ja'martae Hogan caught a 34 yard pass from Carter St. John, and the Scots followed it up with some trickeration. A fake handoff, to a lateral to Gage Krueger, to a pitch to Carter St. John resulted in a wide open Ty Lotterman, who reeled in the pass for a 42 yard touchdown. An Albion field goal rounded out the third quarter scoring at 28-24. 

Alma added the insurance with a 26 yard pass to Cole Thomas to put the Scots up 34-24, and despite a touchdown from the Britons, it came down to one final drive. History was sealed when Gage Nelson iced the game, picking off Luke Lovell with under 2 minutes to play.

Carter St. John was 22-33 with 298 yards through the air to go with 4 touchdowns. Eddie Williams tallied 105 rushing yards with a touchdown to lead the ground game. Nate Goralski led all receivers with 97 yards, and Cole Thomas caught 2 touchdowns.

The Alma defense got interceptions from Austin Flowers, Gage Nelson, and Bryce Fredenburg. Flowers also came up with a fumble recovery. Odin Sodffredine led the Scots in tackles with 12.

Alma has earned the MIAAs automatic qualifier bid to the NCAA tournament, and will await their first round selection on Sunday at 5 PM EST. The show can be viewed at NCAA.com.

Story Credit: Nick Nemeth, Sports Information Director