Pride Fall to Ravens, 36-18

DUBUQUE, Iowa – No. 15 Benedictine remained unbeaten Saturday with a 36-18 victory over Clarke, after the Pride lost starting quarterback Brandon Mueller and running back Sean Ceasar to injuries. 

The Pride (2-2) trailed 20-0 deep into the third quarter when Mueller found Darius Hernandez for a five-yard touchdown with 1:04 to play. Victor Moreno's extra point was blocked and returned for a two-point score, giving the Ravens a 22-6 advantage heading into the fourth. 

Benedictine fumbled on the following drive, which was recovered by Alexander Schaad at the Raven 41-yard line and gave the Pride some momentum with 14:54 left in the ball game. After a 21-yard hookup between Mueller and wideout Gabe Deadwiler, Mueller found Jayden Wyer for a 20-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 10.  

The Ravens responded with an energy-depleating 11-play, 77-yard drive that ended with a six-yard touchdown pass between Raven QB Garrett Kettle and Reed Levi to go up 17. 

After back-to-back punts from both teams, Clarke took over with 6:55 to play on its own 20-yard line. Three plays later, Mueller was injured after taking two hits from Raven defenders after his pass was intercepted and returned for a 40-yard touchdown. 

Kenyon Williams, who replaced Mueller on for the final drive of the game, led the Pride on a 12-play, 76-yard drive capped off with a 17-yard score to wide receiver Jaquan Graham. 

Williams finished the game a perfect 6-for-6 passing with 54 yards, while Mueller was 14-of-29 for 180 yards. Mueller led the team in rushing with 78 yards on 15 carries, while Wyer led the wideouts with 51 yards on four catches. Cesar, who left the game late in the first half and never returned, was limited to nine yards on 10 carries. 

Defensively for Clarke, Logan Otting and Kenneth Spaight led the way with six tackles apiece. Trey Hayes and Mark Edwards IV each recorded a sack, while Johel Gonzalez nabbed his third pick of the season. 

Clarke out-gained Benedictine in total offense, 337 yards to 295, and limited the Ravens to only 29 yards rushing, setting a new season-low. Penalties plagued the Pride, as the refs called Clarke for eight resulting in 80 yards. 

The Pride will face a second-straight ranked opponent next Saturday when it travels to face No. 11 Baker. Kickoff Is set for 1 p.m. in Baldwin City, Kan. 

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