The Briar Cliff football team traveled to Yankton, South Dakota Saturday for their GPAC opener against Mount Marty. The Chargers fell to 0-2 on the season after falling 14-40 to the Lancers.
 
"Really disappointed in how we played. We didn't execute well enough, and I didn't put us in a good position to win," said head coach Shane LaDage. "Mount Marty deserved to win tonight."
 
After a Mount Marty touchdown on the opening drive of the game, and a BC three-and-out, the Lancers began to mount another drive. However, the Lancers were held scoreless as Jason Freeman came away with an interception in the end zone and returned it to the 20-yard line.
 
The Chargers converted on a fourth and one from their own 29-yard line but would stall forcing a punt. A botched snap would result in a loss of 16 yards and set the Lancers up for their second touchdown of the game.  
 
Looking to respond down by two TDs, the Chargers began to drive down the field. Taking nearly eight minutes off the clock on a 17-play drive, the Chargers entered the Lancer red zone. A run-heavy drive featuring running backs Matthew Mason and Jeremy Koenck would end scoreless after coming up short on a fourth down on the 11-yard line.
 
Briar Cliff's defense kept the Lancers scoreless in the second quarter, and the Cliff trailed by 14 at half.
 
Looking to turn the momentum in the second half, Luke Davies connected with Aaron Okoro on a 59-yard touchdown pitch and catch to make it a one score game. Mount Marty answered with a field goal in their next drive, set up by a 62-yard return on the BC kickoff.
 
The Chargers were outscored 23-7 in the fourth quarter. Matthew Mason scored his second touchdown of the season on a three-yard scamper.
 
Okoro headlined the offensive unit with six catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. Davies completed 11-of-23 attempts for 109 yards. Johnny Bauser was 4-for-6 for 93 yards. Mason rushed 20 times for 66 yards.
 
Brayden Pommier-Williams had a team-high 10 tackles to go with 1.5 TFL and a pass breakup. Pierce Miller recorded two sacks and three TFLs.
 
The Chargers will head to Fremont, Nebraska next Saturday for a meeting with Midland at 1:00 p.m.