Memorable debut

SIOUX CITY — In his first year as a collegiate starter, Seth Maitlen of Creston not only has achieved all-conference status as a defensive end, but could be part of Morningside College history in the coming weeks.

The Mustangs, ranked No. 1 in NAIA at 13-0, have reached the championship game of the NAIA playoffs once (2015) but never brought home a title. Maitlen and the rest of this high-powered Morningside team are hoping that changes next month after Saturday’s 51-14 quarterfinal win over Saint Xavier (Illinois) at their home Elwood Olsen Stadium.

The Mustangs will stay home Saturday in hosting two-time defending NAIA football national champion Saint Francis (Indiana), which has won each of the previous four postseason meetings against Morningside.

However, this will be the first time that matchup is played at Olsen Stadium where the Mustangs have won their last 20 homes games. Eighth-ranked Saint Francis comes in at 10-2 after a 33-23 quarterfinal win over No. 12 Baker.

Last season, Morningside ended a 13-1 season with a 43-36 loss to Saint Francis.

“Our defense is playing better,” said Morningside coach Steve Ryan, brother of Maitlen’s mother, Sue. “The game is here instead of their place. We hope that makes a difference and we’re ready to go.”

Maitlen is optimistic, if the Mustangs play at the top of their game.

“I will take our team right now over everybody,” he said after Saturday’s win. “The way we’re playing together. We’re flying around together on defense this year and this has been a record breaking year on offense for us.”

Maitlen, a converted linebacker, has settled into the right defensive end position for the Mustangs. Through 12 games he had 50 total tackles (23 solo), eight tackles for loss for 35 yards and four quarterback sacks for 20 yards. On Saturday he had two tackles and three quarterback hurries.

Ryan said the defensive line set the tone Saturday in pressuring Saint Xavier’s quarterback.

“The coaches said if the D-line had a good day, the whole defense would,” Maitlen said. “They really didn’t try running on us at all. Our D -ine got after it and made the quarterback uncomfortable.”

Maitlen joined three other defensive front players in recording an end zone sack for a safety in the fourth quarter Saturday.

“That was a good way for the four of us to end the day,” Maitlen said.

The 6-2, 240-pound sophomore is a converted linebacker and running back from his days as a Creston/O-M Panther. A bit undersized versus many of the offensive left tackles he faces in NAIA football, Maitlen finds other ways to be effective.

“All of those guys in our defensive line were kind of high school linebackers,” Ryan said. “We thought Seth could be a big linebacker but slow, or a fast D-lineman. That makes a difference for us on the edge. He gets to the quarterback in good time. That wrestling aspect helps in the use of the hands and turning the corner. He’s relentless.”

Saint Xavier left tackle Michael Ribando was an imposing figure Saturday at 6-4 and 285, but he had a difficult time handling Maitlen at the line of scrimmage.

“Almost all of the tackles I’ve gone against this year have been bigger than me,” Maitlen said. “It’’s more about technique and trying to expose whatever their weakness is. It all goes back to watching film and getting after it.”

Wrestling

background

The hand combat off the snap and quick moves to get through the line of scrimmage are instinctive, often coming from the many hours spent on a wrestling mat. Maitlen was a three-time state placewinner, including a runner-up finish as a senior at 195 pounds.

“I’ll say it 100 times over and over again, that wrestling has helped me a lot in football,” Maitlen said. “Working on leverage, hand fighting, just getting after it and making stuff happen. In high school I loved linebacker. In college I love defensive end. We have a job to do and gap to fill, but we also have a lot of freedom. Getting after the quarterback is a lot of fun.”

Maitlen was once an opposing player of two of the offensive stars of this Morningside team. Quarterback Trent Solsma and receiver Connor Niles, both seniors, were part of a Sioux City Heelan team that defeated the Panthers on Morningside’s home field in playoff action. For a period of years, Creston/O-M had trouble against the Crusaders, including the 2014 semifinal meeting in the UNI-Dome.

Explosive offense

While the Morningside defense was allowing only 59 rushing yards and recording four quarterback sacks Saturday, Solsma and Niles were achieving milestones on offense.

Solsma passed for 374 yards and five touchdowns, setting the NAIA record for career touchdown passes with 157. Niles had 13 catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns, pushing his season total to 2,314 yards, an NAIA record. Solsma completed 31 of 39 passes.

“Solsma and Niles are a blast to play with,” Maitlen said. “They definitely got the better side of Creston in high school, so it’s fun being on their team now.”

The top-ranked Mustangs have scored at least 49 points in each of its seven home victories this season. Solsma has 4,793 yards passing and 64 touchdown passes. Niles has 135 catches for 2,314 yards and 28 TDs. On Saturday, running back Arnijae Ponder of Omaha reeled off his 10th effort of 100 yards rushing or more, carrying 24 times for 143 yards and two TDs.

This is a complete Morningside football team. Now, it’s a matter of proving it Saturday and advancing to the national championship game Dec. 15 at Daytona Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The winner of Saturday’s game in Sioux City will face the victor of Saturday’s semifinal in Salina, Kansas, where Kansas Wesleyan (13-0) hosts Benedictine (12-1).