A big first half on Monday afternoon would lead the Keiser Seahawks would hang on to a 31-21 win over Northwestern in the NAIA National Title game.
Keiser would lead 17-0 in the first half before the Red Raiders would score its only touchdown of the half in the final minute of the second quarter as Austyn Gerard would catch a six yard touchdown pass from Jayln Gramstad. Keiser would go back up by 17 points with another score in the third quarter before the Red Raiders would start to mount its comeback. Two passing touchdowns from Gramstad to Konnor McQuilla made it 24-21, but Keiser again would answer with a touchdown to make it 31-21 and claim the national title after being defeated last year in the title game by Northwestern. Onida’s Morris Hofer would play for the first time in the playoffs dealing with an arm injury and had one assisted tackle on the afternoon.
Hofer will finish his fith year at Northwestern with 27 total tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery in 11 games. The Red Raiders finish 14-1 on the season as the NAIA National Runner-up.
