Big fourth quarter helps Langston down Pioneers

Box Score What was a close game got away from Wayland Baptist as the Langston University Lions left town with a 48-24 Central States Football League victory at Greg Sherwood Memorial Bulldog Stadium here Saturday afternoon.
 
With 16 seniors suiting up for the final time at home, the Pioneers (3-6, 1-4 CSFL) were hoping to send them off on a good note. Things were moving that direction with Wayland owning a 24-23 lead late in the third period, but then a series of mishaps resulted in Langston scoring 25 unanswered points in the fourth period.
 
The Lions (6-3, 4-1) started their final-period run by recording a pair of safeties. After that they scored three touchdowns on passes from quarterback Norbert Ralph to put it away.
 
Wayland got the day's scoring going on its first possession, predominantly using a rushing attack on a drive that ended with Keegan Macias scoring on a 9-yard run.
 
After Langston answered on its first possession, Wayland was back in the endzone when Payson Bain found Josh Bailey on a four-yard TD toss for a 14-7 Pioneer lead.
 
Langston took control of the game from there, getting a 35-yard field goal followed by a pair of TDs, including a 35-yard fumble return by Tyler Bess early in the third quarter that gave the Lions a 23-14 edge.
 
Wayland's offense found itself again and freshman quarterback Mitchell Parsley connected with Trey Rowe on a 43-yard touchdown pass. Then, with 2:42 left in the third, Daniel Martinez booted a 43-yard field goal to put the Pioneers up 24-23.
 
That's all the points the Pioneers had in them, however, while Langston had plenty still left in the tank for the final 15 minutes.
 
As it has been in recent weeks, Wayland was hurt by turnovers, this time giving it away three times through the air and three more on the ground. The Pioneers were held to 180 yards of offense – 84 rushing and 96 passing. Michael Romero finished with 22 carries for 73 yards.
 
WBU junior linebacker Alden Mann continued his torrid tackle pace with 14 stops (6 solo, 8 assisted). He finished with a quarterback sack and 2½ tackles for loss.
 
The Pioneers wind up their season next Saturday in Batesville, Ark., against Lyon College (0-10, 0-5), which fell to Texas College on Saturday, 21-14.