The Bethany football team traveled to Newton Saturday evening for a head-to-head match against Bethel College.  Looking for things to turn around for the struggling Swedes, the ball unfortunately did not fall their way as they lost 13-6 to the Threshers.

Bethel got on the board quickly as they scored off a touchdown pass with 8:32 in the first quarter, giving them a 7-0 lead.  After a great defensive play by sophomore Jeffrey Simplice, who sacked the Bethel quarterback on 3rd and 10, the Swedes got the ball back and started what looked like a promising drive.  Freshman quarterback Zachary Waggoner aired out a long pass to senior wide receiver Willie Edwards.  A roughing the passer and an additional personal foul call on Bethel put the Swedes half the distance to the goal.  Bethany capped off their drive with a touchdown run by senior Sean Dahley with 13 seconds left in the first quarter.  The PAT attempt hit the crossbar, making the score 7-6.  Bethel and Bethany exchanged the ball back and forth throughout the second quarter as both teams made consistent key defensive stops.  However, the Threshers would add to their lead with 16 seconds left in the second by kicking a field goal, giving them a 10-6 halftime lead.

Bethany came out in the third quarter with an attempt at a strong offensive drive.  Edwards once again made a big play as he fell, but still caught the ball on 3rd and 10, giving the Swedes a first down.  However, the Swedes could not score off the drive, but soon got the ball back as freshman Anthony King came up with a huge interception.  Unfortunately, Bethany could not put any more points on the board as they turned the ball over on downs.  The Threshers would kick another field goal with 7:42 left in the game, putting them up 13-6.  They again tried to tack onto their lead after a Bethany punt with another field goal attempt, but the kick hit the cross bars, giving the Swedes a last chance for the win.  Bethany put a drive together, making two first downs, and on the last play of the game completed a pass to Dahley, but he was unfortunately brought down far short of the goal line as Bethany suffered a disappointing 13-6 loss.

The Swedes look to come out next Saturday afternoon and grab their first win against Tabor College during the Bethany College Homecoming Weekend.  Kick off is set for 1:30 p.m.