Wilson to McFarland TD Lifts Reinhardt Over Graceland 25–19

Waleska, GA - A late touchdown connection from quarterback Alexus Wilson to receiver Bleu A. McFarland with 1:03 remaining lifted Reinhardt (GA) to a 25-19 comeback win over Graceland in NAIA flag football action Saturday, capping a rally from an early 13-0 deficit. The Eagles produced 19 unanswered points to change the momentum in the game and pick up their second win of the season!

Tied 19-19 after Graceland's fourth-quarter push, Reinhardt turned to its passing game one more time. Wilson, who had already engineered a second-quarter surge, led the Eagles down the field before finding McFarland in the end zone for the go-ahead score. The point-after attempt was unsuccessful, but the touchdown stood as the decisive play as Reinhardt's defense closed out the final minute.

Graceland controlled the early stages behind quarterback Sierra Flores. In the first quarter, Flores hit Jaida Lammie for a 15-yard touchdown to open the scoring, and followed early in the second quarter with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Ahmari Byrd for a 13-0 advantage after a missed PAT. At that point, Graceland had all the momentum and a two-score lead before Reinhardt's offense began to respond.

Wilson jump-started the Eagles midway through the second quarter, finding Destiny Smith for a 16-yard touchdown strike at the 8:33 mark to cut the deficit to 13-7 after a successful PAT. Late in the half, Reinhardt seized control. Wilson accounted for a touchdown with 47 seconds remaining to pull the game even at 13, and after a defensive stop, the Eagles struck again. With just 16 seconds left before halftime, Wilson connected on a 38-yard touchdown pass, sending Reinhardt into the break with a 19-13 lead after another missed point-after.

Both defenses tightened in the third quarter, which ended scoreless despite Graceland's willingness to throw and Reinhardt's efficiency through the air. The stalemate broke in the fourth when Lammie capped a Graceland drive with a 4-yard rushing touchdown at the 3:30 mark, tying the game at 19-19 after another missed PAT. That set the stage for Wilson's final drive and McFarland's decisive touchdown grab just over two minutes later.

Reinhardt finished with a 311-263 edge in total offense and averaged 5.7 yards per play to Graceland's 4.4. Wilson led the way, completing 27 of 40 passes for 260 yards and four touchdowns while adding 38 rushing yards on 12 attempts. Blye Townsell was a key target in the passing game with seven receptions for 65 yards and a score, while Smith and McFarland each delivered critical touchdown catches during the comeback.

Flores paced Graceland by completing 26 of 44 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns, and also rushing for 37 yards. Lammie provided a dual threat with 53 receiving yards and a touchdown plus 19 rushing yards and a score, and Byrd added 56 receiving yards, a touchdown and five tackles. Reinhardt's defense helped turn the tide with three interceptions and 30 total tackles, allowing the Eagles to protect the late lead and secure the 25-19 victory.

Next up for the Eagles is a road trip to South Georgia to face Andrew College on Thursday, March 12th at 2 pm.  After this, they will have a tri-match day on Saturday, March 14th, with Milligan University and Cumberland (TN).