RIVERSIDE, Mo. - Despite dropping the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference semifinal, No. 4 seed William Woods University (13-6) scored against No. 1 seed Ottawa University (17-0) in the third, closest meeting between the teams as the Braves prevailed 39-13 Saturday at KC Current/The University of Kansas Health System Training Center.
"Another battle for us," William Woods flag football coach
Charlie Holloway said. "We had a couple of injuries to key players early in the game. The girls rallied in the second half and played lights out. As a team, we learned we can compete with anyone. I'm so proud of the team showing once again they can rise above their adversity!"
Owls quarterback
Makenzie Hicks got it done on the ground and through the air. Hicks outrushed four-time national champion Ottawa herself with eight carries for 46 yards compared to the Braves' five for 34 yards and one touchdown. And, she completed 25-of-47 passes for 168 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Woods spread its passing attack as five Owls tallied receptions, with four being the least.
Evonne Bruestle had a team-high 43 receiving yards on a co-game-high six catches.
Addie Chilek also secured six receptions, totaling 37 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Madi Jones reached pay dirt as well, hauling in five passes for 20 yards and a touchdown.
While those numbers from WWU's wide receivers are already solid, none of those three had the team's longest catch. Owls Choice flag football MVP
Kennedy Vannoy did, taking in a 22-yard pass from Hicks for the majority of her 30 receiving yards on four receptions. The Villa Park, Illinois, native also made a big play on defense, forcing OU's lone turnover by snatching a Braves throw and returning her interception six yards.
Unfortunately for Woods, the Braves started the game strong, scoring 13 points in the first quarter and 20 in the second to hold a 33-0 advantage at halftime. But William Woods responded in the second half.
The Owls became one of just five teams out of the nine opponents the Braves have faced this season to score against them, when Hicks found Chilek for a 12-yard touchdown pass with 8:11 left in the third quarter. After Hicks converted the 1-point pass attempt, Woods trailed 33-7. Also excelling defensively in the third, WWU held OU off the scoreboard in the quarter.
William Woods carried over its momentum to the start of the fourth quarter, reaching the end zone for the second and final time when Jones caught a 2-yard throw from Hicks with 7:47 left. Then, Ottawa tacked on six more points to take the game 39-13. The Owls have improved each of the three times they've played the Braves, as they lost 39-0 to Ottawa in the second matchup on April 12 in Fulton and the first 48-0 on March 8 in Ottawa, Kansas.
Key to WWU's advancement in the latest contest, the Owls converted 5-of-14 third downs and 4-of-6 fourth downs, while the Braves went 0-of-2 on third down and 1-of-2 on fourth down.Â
Overall, William Woods recorded 208 yards of offense (168 passing yards and 40 rushing yards), scored two passing touchdowns, intercepted one pass with a 6-yard return and had five penalties for 35 yards. Ottawa totaled 291 yards of offense (260 passing yards and 31 rushing yards), scored five passing and one rushing touchdown, intercepted two passes with 19 return yards and had no penalties.
The Owls will compete in the fifth edition of the NAIA Flag Football Finals, which will occur from May 5-8 in Kansas City. The bracket will be announced at a later date.
