It's a Halloween special this weekend as GPAC Football closes out the month of October with five league games on the slate.  Top ranked Sioux Falls will pay a visit to Orange City for the first time since 2006 to square off against 12th ranked Northwestern.  With the playoff picture still cloudy will tricks or treats be in store this weekend?  B. Lynn Fouts breaks it down in the College Fanz GPAC Week #9 Football Preview.

  The Cougars enter this week's highlight game firing on all cylinders; leading the nation in three defensive categories and scoring at an almost point-a-minute rate (54 to be exact). Lorenzo Brown has opened up the aerial game recently and still shows the quickest feet from here to the Canadian border, (through North Dakota that is). Rb Ryan Lowmiller was the NAIA's Offensive Player of the Week for a 5 td day. The Cougar defense snatched two quick turnovers within the first 3 series and held state rival DWU to just 75 yards of total offense on the day. The Red Raiders were selected to finish 6^th in the GPAC in pre-season voting, but have been winning through adversity all year. Down to a third Qb in mid-season, NWC has rallied around new coach Kyle Achterhoff and played a full 60 minutes as evidenced by 4 fourth-quarter comebacks. Qb Ryan Morgan has tossed for 6 td's and 840 yards in his 5 games. Rb Taylor Malm has run for 714 yards and 13 scores while the defense has allowed opponents just 4 rushing touchdowns in 8 games. As usual, this will be a no-holds-bared affair that should go down to the wire; similar to the last time these teams met in Orange City, a 17-14 classic in 2006, when the visitors won.

Briar Cliff (2-6, 2-5) at Dordt (1-7, 0-7) - 1PM

  The Chargers were 34 seconds short of their first signature win of the Tom Rethman area, dropping a 33-28 contest to #12 Northwestern. Qb Lehti Tonga tossed 4 td passes, 2 to Luke Roder, but suffered his only interception on the day with just 9 seconds left at the Northwestern 9. The rushing game was held in check by the Red Raiders, netting only 71 yards. Defensively, BCU gave up its second most yards on the year and will have to refocus to keep the Defenders in line this week. Dordt was able to move the chains last weekend, (15 first downs) but 4 turnovers handcuffed their chances at Doane. Josh VanKempen gained 84 yards on just 12 carries while Milton Garrett tossed 2 td's. Once Garrett exited the game after a third quarter sack, the Defender attack struggled. BCU will look to keep scoring (30 ppg the past two weeks) while Dordt hopes to keep this one under 21.

 

Doane (2-6, 2-5) at #4 Morningside (7-0) - 1PM
  Doane had a game-changing interception return by NAIA Defensive Player of the Week, Vincent Martinez to break open the contest. His 100 yard td return came with 6 ticks left in the half as Dordt had reached the Doane 4 yard line, trailing just 14-12. From a likely Defender lead at half to a 21-12 Tiger advantage, Martinez's play was huge. Michael Vargas ran for 99 yards and a score as Qb Anthony Dunn led an offense that controlled the clock for over 35 minutes. Morningside went to Fremont and had their Halloween scare a little early. Down 21-6 at half to Midland Lutheran, the Mustangs needed a spark and received one from d-back Ben Rickford's fumble return for a touchdown just 2 minutes into the 3^rd. His points escalated a 4 td quarter for the visitors who gave up their most points all season to the Warriors (27).

 

Concordia (2-6) at Dana (0-8, 0-7) - 1PM
  The Bulldogs were unable to contain NWU back Kory Kahlandt (180 yards rushing and 3 scores) or take advantage of 3 turnovers last week. They did hang around till the end with Darius Smith running for 63 yards and the Qb tandem of Kyle Schmidt and TJ Shirey combining for 193 yards and 2 td's. Dana enters the game still looking to have a ground game that can take some pressure off its Qb's (19 interceptions on the year). Wr Mark Schlueter remains a bright spot with 53 catches, 714 yards and 4 scores. The defense needs to keep the opponents in range and may have an easier time as the season winds down with 2 of the last 3 games in Blair.

 

Midland Lutheran (5-3, 5-2) at Nebraska Wesleyan (4-3) - 2PM

  The Warriors had #4 Morningside and #12 Northwestern both on the ropes recently, but couldn't finish the deal; 2^nd half turnovers costing them dearly. With an 8-win season still possible, they head to Abel Stadium and the 85^th meeting with NWU. Qb John Faulkner had an eye-opening 187 yards passing and Darious Bentley swept through the Mustangs for 137 yards and 2 scores. Nebraska Wesleyan exploded for over 400 yards on Concordia. Senior Rb Kory Kahlandt is in serious contention for career records in rushing and touchdowns and seasons bests in both categories too. The defense, which has allowed less than 9 ppg the past 4 weeks, will need to contain the MLC ground attack that has chewed up 205 ypg and scored 16 times.