Pride Close Out 2022 Season at Grand View

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Clarke hits the road for the final game of the 2022 regular season as the Pride head to Des Moines to take on No. 2 Grand View University this Saturday. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. 

The Pride (3-7 overall, 0-4 Heart North) are coming off of a 14-3 loss last week to William Penn University. Clarke maintained a three-point second half lead into the fourth quarter before the Statesmen scored 14 unanswered to close out the game. Quarterbacks Brandon Mueller, Kenyon Williams, and Pernell Beasley combined to go 18 of 40 for 162 yards. Darius Hernandez was the team's top rusher, finishing with 11 yards. Antony King led all recievers with six receptions for 64 yards, followed by Jaquan Graham with 42. Defensively, Courtney Mables and Andrew Adams tied for the team lead in total tackles with eight a piece, while Israel Hernandez had a season-high three tackles for loss. 

The Series

The Pride trail the all-times series 0-2, with its last loss coming year ago on Nov. 13, a 31-7 defeat in Clarke's season finale. Williams finished that day 10 of 15 for 107 yards with a touchdown pass, a 63-yard score off of a screen pass to running back Cori Davis. Logan Otting led the Pride defense with 15 total tackles. 

Grand View at a Glance

The Vikings (10-0, 4-0) haven't lost in the regular season since Nov. 3, 2018 and are coming off of its most recent victory over Culver-Stockton College, 46-21, last weekend. Grand View holds the top offense in the league, which averages 450.1 yards and 42.5 points per game. QB Johnny Sullivan has 27 touchdowns and 2,403 yards on 168 of 260 passing while running back Ali Scott leads the team with 750 yards and nine rushing scores, followed by Avery Gates' 423 yards and five scores. Wideout Damon Street has a team-high 650 yards, trailed by Carson Rollinger's team-high 35 receptions and nine touchdowns. 

Not only do the Vikings have the conference's top offense, they also have the third-best defense in the country in terms of points allowed per game (8.7). Defensive end Rocky Schoenfelder leads the team with 53 total tackles, followed by linebacker Nate Ewell with 51. Junior DE Tristin Waugh has a team-high nine sacks and 12 tackles for loss, pushing back opposing teams 153 yards in the process. Defensive back Trey Albert has four interceptions, which leads the next closest Viking defender by three. 

Curtain Call

Saturday's game serves as the regular season finale for both programs. While Grand View is set to make the playoffs, the Pride will head back to Dubuque with sights set on the 2023 season. With a young roster full of playmakers and success already having been attained at various points in the season, the Pride have the ability to take that next step and become a threat to the Heart of America Conference next season.

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