Alma, MI – Alma Football played host to Aurora University in the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. This was the first time in program history that the Scots participated in 2nd round action. Alma was defeated by a final of 48-26.

Aurora got on the board first in the opening minutes. It was an 18 yard rush by running back Jhequay Chretin that punched the rock in. Alma responded immediately with a 65 yard touchdown pass from Carter St. John to Devon Frenchko. The PAT was wide left, and the score moved to 7-6. Aurora found their groove in the second quarter, outscoring Alma 27-0. The Spartans scored with 3 passing touchdowns from Josh Swanson, and a second rushing score from Jhequay Chretin. At halftime the score was 34-6.

The score remained 34-6 late into the third quarter, until Aurora scored once more on the ground through the legs of Swanson. Alma came back with a touchdown pass from Davin Reif to Nate Webb.  Aurora hit back immediately with a touchdown pass from Swanson to being the score to 48-12. Alma responded with a 13 play, 65 yard drive culminating in a Carter St. John 4 yard touchdown rush. The Scots forced a stop, and quickly scored again with St. John hitting Frenchko again from 34 yards out, also connecting on a 2 point conversion. After the dust settled, the score was 48-26 in favor of Aurora.

Carter St. John was 15-29 for 273 passing yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception. Eddie Williams rushed for 113 yards on 25 carries to lead the ground game. Devon Frenchko led Alma's receivers with 3 grabs for 119 yards and 2 scores.

Defensively, Austin Flowers grabbed an interception to bring his season total to 7, and Trevor Underhill forced a fumble. Odin Soffredine collected 16 total tackles, along with Austin Flowers, Gage Nelson, Drew Humm, and Elijah Jackson who all totaled double digit tackles with 10.

Alma ends a historic season at 11-1, and will look to build off of this success going into the future.

Story Credit: Nick Nemeth, Sports Information Director