Winter Ends Season and Bulldog Coaching Career with a Win

by Clyde Erickson

The Concordia football team had the opportunity to end their season at home as they competed against the Hastings Broncos on Saturday, Nov. 12. The senior class wanted a victory for their own legacy, and to end Vance Winter’s coaching tenure with the ringing of the bell. Winning didn’t come easy, but the Bulldogs ended the season with 31-28 victory against the Broncos.

Close to the end of the first quarter, senior running back Bryce Collins drove six yards for the first score of the game.

However, the Concordia defense allowed two touchdowns by Hastings, who led 14-7 at halftime.

At the beginning of the second half, Hastings took four plays to go 75 yards for another touchdown.

The Bulldogs played with a sense of urgency for the rest of the game, capitalizing on a safety followed by a fumble recovery that senior defensive lineman Trey Barnes took into the end zone.

Sophomore quarterback Riley Wiltfong brought the score to 24-21 at the end of the third quarter with a 10-yard rush.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Junior quarterback TJ Austin ran the ball halfway across the field for a touchdown, setting the score at 31-21. Hastings scored again late in the quarter after a muffed punt, but the Bulldogs held on to win the game 31-28.

Collins ran the ball for 73 yards and one touchdown. Austin threw the ball for 93 yards and ran the ball for 65 yards including one rushing touchdown. Wiltfong threw for 66 yards and ran for 63 yards and one rushing touchdown. Junior wide receiver Jared Garcia had 36 receiving yards.

The Bulldogs ended Winter’s era as winners with a record of 7-3 and a GPAC record of 5-3. They also finish the season rated in the top 20 of the NAIA for the first time since 2001.