Skyhawks fall to Cardinals 42-6 in season debut

Saturday, Sep 2, 2023 4:54 PM Updated Tuesday, Sep. 5, 2023 3:46 PM

FLC football to next play nonleague Arizona Christian University

Fort Lewis College wide receiver Zachary Gaumont catches a 66-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter Saturday while playing William Jewell College in Missouri. (Courtesy)

Quarterback Braden Wingle found true freshman Zachary Gaumont for a 66-yard score, but unable to handle to quick-adjusting Cardinals defense, the Fort Lewis College football team dropped its 2023 season opener 42-6 to William Jewell College at a scorching Liberty North High School on Saturday.

Wingle, who led the offense through the opening drive of the third quarter, finished 11-for-18 through the air for 120 yards, tossing the Skyhawks' lone touchdown of the afternoon and also one interception. Redshirt freshman Sam Jones took the reins in the third quarter and went on to finish the afternoon 7-for-25 through the air to provide another 99 yards.

Gaumont led FLC with 66 receiving yards and his first collegiate touchdown on the deep shot from Wingle. Jamille Humphrey added 63 yards of his own while Peyton Monson and Drake Cortez had a team-leading five receptions each. Trey Goughnour led Fort Lewis on the ground with 48 yards on 11 attempts.

Peyton Monson of Fort Lewis College gains some yardage after receiving a pass from quarterback Braden Wingle on Saturday while playing William Jewell College in Missouri. (Courtesy).

William Jewell's CJ Ward rolled out 219 yards and four touchdowns on 14 completions while second-string quarterback Taylor Eggers added another 64 yards on seven completions. On the ground, Kaylin Merriweather rushed for 104 yards and one touchdown for the Cardinals while Keaundre McCullough dished out an additional 86 yards and a score.

Fort Lewis was able to put up 291 yards of total offense – 219 yards through the air and 72 yards rushing – more than eight total games for the Skyhawks last season. Carter Cameron and Justin Romo led the blue and gold defense with five tackles each. Christopher Ponce made the Skyhawks' only sack of the game, the second of his career, for a nine-yard loss.

Adam Callahan led WJC with eight tackles while Sean Mitchell, Kevin Roberson, and Kwesi Hooks each nabbed an interception.

Notables

Wingle's 66-yard passing touchdown to Gaumont is the second-longest of his career as a Skyhawk over the last two seasons.

Ponce recorded his second career sack.

Goughnour's 48 rushing yards were more than any individual Skyhawk across eight games from last season.

Khalil Ali had his first forced fumble and recovery of his career.

Fort Lewis College's Will Eoff, left, blocks a William Jewell defender as quarterback Braden Wingle drops back to pass on Saturday. (Courtesy)

Croix Burney gains some yardage for Fort Lewis College in the first quarter on Saturday while playing against William Jewell College in Missouri. (Courtesy)