STERLING, Kan. — Bethel lost to Sterling 17-14 on Saturday. The teams matched touchdowns in each of the first two quarters and went scoreless in the third before Sterling scored the only points of the fourth. The Threshers ran for 119 yards and threw for 138, while their defense had three sacks and an interception in the loss.
Bethel converted twice on fourth down during a 13-play first quarter scoring drive that ended with
Xavier Craven's 4-yard touchdown run.
Will Smiley intercepted Sterling on the next drive, but Sterling later scored from a short field on Steven Werking's 12-yard run, leaving the quarter tied 7-7.
Bethel and Sterling each scored seven points in the second quarter, leaving the game tied 14-14 at halftime. Sterling used a short field for Steven Werking's 7-yard touchdown run, while BC answered with a 46-yard drive capped by
Brady Norman's 9-yard touchdown pass to
Jaxson Daniels. The Threshers' defense added three sacks and stopped Sterling on downs twice, including after Sterling reached the Bethel 20 in the final minute.
The third quarter was scoreless, with Sterling putting together a nine-play, 31-yard drive and Bethel answering later with a nine-play, 32-yard series before punting. Norman connected with
Josiah Buller for third-down gains of 11 and 12 yards on that Bethel drive, while the Threshers' defense kept Sterling off the board and forced punts on Sterling's completed possessions in the quarter.
Sterling scored the only points of the fourth quarter after Ryan Morgan's interception set it up at the Bethel 16, but the Threshers held the drive to 4 yards before Emmanuel Roman's 29-yard field goal. Norman and Buller connected for 42 yards on their final drive, putting Bethel deep into Sterling territory. After a couple of strong runs from Craven, the Threshers were at the Sterling 12-yardline at the two minute timeout. Bethel committed an illegal substitution penalty and had a tackle for a loss on third down forcing them to kick a 32-yard field to tie the contest, but missed the attempt to the left. Sterling was able to run the clock out, taking the 17-14 victory.
Buller caught five passes for 85 yards. Norman completed 16 of 26 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown. Craven rushed 11 times for 53 yards and a touchdown. Smiley recorded seven tackles and an interception.
Up next, the Bethel football team hosts Tabor for Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m. in North Newton, Kan., following a bye week.
