Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – Playing at home for the first time in 2025, the Midland University football team defeated the Waldorf Warriors, 53-0, on Saturday afternoon at newly refurbished Heedum Field. Midland (2-1, 1-1 GPAC) won its second straight game and recorded its first shutout since Nov. 9, 2024, in a 24-0 win at Doane. The Warriors’ last home shutout was a 43-0 victory over Hastings on Oct. 10, 2020.
Waldorf (0-3, 0-3 GPAC) took the opening kickoff and extended its first drive with a 15-yard pass from Tate Richardson to Angel Ruiz, but Midland’s defense forced a punt two plays later.
Midland’s offense quickly went to work. Zach Congalton found Tae Marks for an 11-yard gain before Tyson Denkert broke free for 25 yards. Five plays later, Congalton hit Alan Danielson for 17 yards to set up first-and-goal. Three plays after that, Congalton ran it in from 3 yards out. Ali Gbaja-Biami converted the two-point try to make it 8-0 with 6:56 left in the first quarter.
After a three-and-out by Waldorf, Midland struck again. Quarterback Brodey Johnsonconnected with Marks for a 45-yard touchdown, and Payden Alexander‘s kick extended the lead to 15-0.
The defense then held Waldorf on downs at the Midland 35, and the offense carried momentum into the second quarter. After Carson Crouch intercepted Richardson at the Waldorf 23, Johnson hit TJ Covington on the next play for a 23-yard touchdown. Alexander’s kick made it 22-0 with 8:01 left in the half.
On the ensuing kickoff, Waldorf fumbled, and Midland recovered at the 24. Isaiah Tuckercapped the short drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 29-0 at halftime.
Midland continued its dominance in the third quarter. Zane Stenger picked off Richardson, and three plays later Tucker scored again from 3 yards out. After another defensive stop, Isaiah Weber punched in a 1-yard score to make it 43-0 heading into the fourth.
The Warriors added a 35-yard Alexander field goal and a 2-yard touchdown run from Triton Ivy in the final quarter to complete the 53-0 shutout.
Midland ran 67 plays for 456 total yards, while holding Waldorf to 135 yards on 49 plays. The Warriors rushed for 197 yards and threw for 259. Waldorf was limited to 52 rushing yards and 83 passing yards.
Individually, Johnson went 6-of-9 for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Tucker rushed 15 times for 73 yards and two scores, while Weber added 40 yards and a touchdown. Marks caught four passes for 79 yards and a score, and Covington had three grabs for 57 yards and a touchdown.
Richardson finished 10-of-22 for 83 yards with two interceptions for Waldorf. Jacques Cooper led the rushing attack with 45 yards on eight carries.
Defensively, Jason Wamba, Paxton Van Houten, Justus Nicholson, Carter Lightwine, Kreyton Rockefeller, and Eli Boryca each had four tackles for Midland. Rockefeller and Zach Dickey combined for a sack, while Lightwine recovered a fumble, and both Stenger and Crouch recorded interceptions. Christian Gerot led Waldorf with 13 tackles.
Midland head coach Jeff Jamrog praised the effort.
“Anytime you win the turnover battle, plus-three, that’s huge,” Jamrog said. “We’ve only turned the ball over once in three games. If we continue to play like that, I like our chances. This was one of our most complete wins, in all three phases, since I’ve been here.”
Tucker credited his offensive line.
“Them big dudes opened the holes, and I hit them as quick as I could,” he said. “It was a good day.”
Midland will travel to No. 3 Morningside next Saturday at Elwood Olsen Stadium in Sioux City, Iowa. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
