A strong second-half defensive effort by the Briar Cliff football team was not enough for the Chargers Saturday as they fell 38-21 at Northwestern. The BC defense score two of the team's three touchdowns in Orange City but could not hold off Tyson Kooima and the Northwestern offense.
 
A fumble forced by Asi Tupua and recovered by Brandon Faatalale on the third play of the game turned into a 46-yard touchdown run for the senior to put BC on the board. Jonathan Branner's kick was good for the 7-0 Charger lead.
 
The Red Raiders were not down for long, however, as the home team put together an eight-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a Kooima pass to Shane Solberg to make the game 7-7.
 
After a three-and-out on the next BC drive, the Red Raiders started another scoring drive on their own 35. Kooima again led his team down the field and into the end zone, this time thanks to a 15-yard run by Logan Meyer for the score. 
 
Northwestern led Briar Cliff 28-7 at halftime but managed only 10 second-half points.
 
A Northwestern fumble on the goal line in the fourth led to the Charger defense's second score of the contest, this time by MJ Montgomery.
 
Cayden Mitchell connected with Ryan Kotey on BC's final possession to round out the scoring for both sides.
 
"Our guys played hard today," said head coach Dennis Wagner. "Our defense got us some great turnovers and we came up short on three longshot plays. We have one more to look forward to with Senior Day next week!"
 
The Chargers will host Dordt next week in the team's final game of the season. Recognition of the BC seniors will take place at about 12:40 with a 1 p.m. kickoff at Memorial Field.