Matty Kiel Impressive in Debut

Former SLV standout Matty Kiel scored a touchdown on his first reception and threw for one in the fourth quarter in his first game with the Malone University (Canton, OH) Pioneers of the Mid States Football Association.  His efforts weren’t enough however as the NAIA team lost their season opener to Tiffin University, an NCAA Div II squad, 31-21.

Kiel scored on a 3 yard catch from QB Logan Francis to tie the score at 7-7 in the first quarter.  He caught another pass good for 47 yards but that drive was aborted a play later by an 84 yard interception returned for a touchdown. A nifty 17-yard double-reverse pass from the wide receiver to tight end Ryan Boland on the first play of the fourth quarter pulled the Pioneers to within 10.  On third down and 11 from the Tiffin 17-yard line, the Pioneers managed to find the end zone with a little trickery. After running back Markus McFolling took the snap and a couple of pitches were made behind the line of scrimmage, Kiel threw to a wide-open Boland to trim the Tiffin advantage to 31-21 three seconds into the fourth quarter.

Malone will travel to Davenport, Iowa on Sept 11 to play St Ambrose.

Other Local Athletes in Action:

Defensive lineman Julius Sosaia from Boulder Creek is playing for the Midwestern State Mustangs, in Wichita Falls, Texas.  The Mustangs are ranked 19th in the American Football Coaches' Association's Preseason Division II Coaches' Poll. They are coming off their  first Lone Star Conference championship as the team advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the third time in school history when it closed the 2009 campaign at 9-3.  The Mustangs opened with a 52-6 win at New Mexico Highlands.  Darin McGinness  is a redshirt sophomore for the Azusa Pacific University (Azusa CA) Cougars competing in the Golden West Conference (NAIA).  After coming to school as defensive back he’s been switched to the offense where he hopes to get playing time as a wide receiver.  Darin sat out last year after undergoing shoulder surgery. Midfielder Gabe Hernandez is getting playing time with the Cabrillo Men’s Soccer squad who are in Salinas this weekend to compete in the Hartnell Tournament.