MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Hendrix, in just its third year since resuming football in 2013, advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2015n, but a 38-27 first-round loss to Huntingdon College on Saturday in Montgomery, Ala., ended the season
The Warriors finished 8-3, their most victories ever, while Huntingdon (10-1) advances to play Mary Hardin-Baylor in the second round.
A holding call negated an 84-yard kickoff return by Ben Luedtke to start the game, but quarterback Seth Peters scored on a 22-yard run to take an early lead. Huntingdon answered with a 5-yard run from John Iwaniec on its opening possession.
After a 21-yard field goal by junior Steve Crenshaw, the Warriors forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and set up at the Huntingdon 21.
Five plays later, Peters hit Luedtke for an 8-yard touchdown and a 17-7 lead.
The Hawks scored on a 23-yard pass from Luke Bailey to Diggan Andre, trimming the lead to 17-14 at the end of the first quarter.
On the first play of the second quarter, Huntingdon's Anthony White intercepted a pass, giving the Hawks a short field. Iwaniec scored from 1 yard out, giving Huntingdon its first lead of the game.
The Warriors reclaimed the lead two drives later when Peters hit Luedtke for a 75-yard scoring play, the longest in school history. A 25-yard field goal by Chase Young pulled Huntingdon into a tie at the half.
Huntingdon took the lead for good on a 12-yard run by Iwaniec, but Hendrix countered with a 23-yard field goal by Crenshaw. The Hawks led 31-27 going into the fourth quarter.
Bailey added a 14-yard run to open the quarter for a 38-27 lead.
The Warriors were forced to punt on their next possession, but a Kody Smith interception give Hendrix the ball on its 25 with 10:01 remaining.
Hendrix drove to the Huntingdon 16, but missed a 33-yard field goal with 5:49 left. The Hawks picked up three first downs on their final drive and ran out the clock.
Peters completed 14 of 28 for 264 yards and added 43 yards rushing, while Bailey was 21 of 27 for 264 yards for Huntingdon. Hendrix's Dayton Winn carried 22 times for 121 yards, his 10th 100-yard performance this year, but Iwaniec had 17 carries for 122 yards and 3 touchdowns for the Hawks.
Sports on 11/22/2015