Trinity Bible College traveled to Rapid City, SD, on Saturday to play their season finale against the Hardrockers of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.  It was a beautiful November day in Rapid City for players and fans alike to enjoy.  Trinity was definitely the underdog going in to the game, but as they have done all year, they clocked in for another 60 minutes of work trying to send their three seniors, LB Matt Fellers, OL/DL Nathan Foster, and LB/DE Jimbo Hale out on a good note.  Fellers finished the day with another solid effort of 8 tackles and 2 forced fumbles.  Foster finished off his career with 7 tackles and a tackle for loss all the while going both ways for the Lions.  After tearing his ACL last season, Hale came back strong this year playing both LB and DE throughout the season.  Hale finished the day with 2 tackles as his wife (Jessica) and 4 children cheered on from the stands.

The Hardrockers built a solid 45-0 lead at half and did not look back.  Trinity had a few offensive spurts in the first half, but could not get anything going late in the first half to put points on the board.  The Trinity defense struggled in the first half against a bigger and stronger Hardrocker offensive line.  Trinity regrouped at halftime and came out in the second half with a much stronger performance.  The offense scored 2 touchdowns, Quarterback Clint Linthicum on a 1 yd QB sneak and Brandon Welch on a 5 yd touchdown reception.  The defense forced a couple of second half turnovers and finally found a way to force their offense into some three and outs.  The final score ended up being 65-14 in favor of the Hardrockers.  Offensively, Clint Linthicum was 19 of 45 passing with 296 yards and 1 TD.  He also had a rushing TD.  Freshman running back Quentin Hight ran hard all day and had 15 carries for 54 yards.  Brandon Welch finished the day with 6 catches for 150 yards and a TD.  Freshman wide receiver Clay Emerson was once again right on his tail with 7 catches for 80 yards.  The defense was led again by the senior leader Matt Fellers with 8 tackles.  Marcus Bartels capped off a stellar freshman season at linebacker with another 8 tackles.  Junior Kevin Gilleland, senior Nathan Foster, and freshman Andrew Lauber each finished the day with 7 tackles respectively.  The freshmen trio of Nate Pfitzer, Cameron Martell, and Kyle Swanson each had 6 tackles for the Lions.

Head Football Coach Dustin Morgan finished his first season with the Lions very excited for what the future holds.  He still believes that a new "Lion Roar," is being built and is excited about what the future holds with 40 plus returners for next season.  "I was very pleased with the effort the guys gave me all season, said Morgan.  Our offense finished with 395 yards today against a very quality opponent.  This is a testament of how hard they fight week in and week out."  "Turnovers hurt us all season and again tripped us up today.  We are ready for the off-season and are ready to focus on turning our weaknesses this season into our strengths next season.  I am very proud of this team.  I am especially proud of my seniors (Fellers, Foster, and Hale); we will miss their leadership next season."

The three seniors were very thankful for this program and team.  Matt Fellers said, "I won four games in four years at Trinity Bible College.  I've suffered through hundreds of long practices.  I've been beat by 70 points in a single game and now I have to ask myself, am I going to miss all of this?  Yes, I think I will.  Trinity football has made me grow into the man I am today."

Nathan Foster said this was one of the best experiences in his life.  "My experience here was awesome.  Trinity football is the reason I met my wife (Katie).  I have matured, learned a lot about God, met a lot of friends, and played football at the same time."

Jimbo Hale came to Trinity Bible College from Rome, GA, and has also put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into this program.  "My experience playing football at Trinity has changed my life.  Even though we didn't win many games in my time here, I have made some lifelong friends and had the opportunity to live out a dream.  God really used Trinity football as a way to reconstruct my heart from the inside out and prepare me for a career in coaching.  I will always cherish my time spent as a Trinity football player."

Trinity Bible College would once again like to thank Matt Fellers, Nathan Foster, and Jimbo Hale for their commitment to the football program and college.  Now it's time to get back to the recruiting board and weight room.  We welcome all to be a part of the new "Lion Roar," next season!  Thanks for all of the support this season!