Video - Game Highlights

The Lindenwood football team ended its spring practice on Thursday evening with the program's annual black and white game. The black squad, led by returning starting quarterback Philip Staback, defeated the white team by a 24-0 score. 

“This spring overall for our football team was phenomenal,” said head coach Patrick Ross. “We were in championship form from the very beginning of the spring. The guys really buckled down at the 6 a.m. practices and handled themselves like champions.” 

The two teams played a regular scrimmage with the exception of no special teams play. Staback was on the field for five drives and led his team to the endzone on four of them, accounting for the only scores of the contest. Staback finished with 12-of-19 passing for 221 yards and two touchdowns. 

“I thought I played pretty well and my teammates fought hard,” said Staback. “The offensive line looked amazing tonight. It was good to see everybody back on the field and contributing.” 

Mike Bunton was the MVP of the game for the black squad. He caught three passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed four times for 25 yards. He even threw a 30-yard touchdown pass. 

“It felt good to be back on the field with the guys and competing,” said Bunton. “We really got after it this spring and every person on this team competed and worked hard.” 

LeMarien Parson was the leading rusher for black, carrying the ball eight times for 46 yards, and Nate Orlando had a rushing touchdown. Donald Fusilier caught three passes for 32 yards and had the fourth touchdown. 

Defensively, the black squad held white to just 219 total yards of offense, including only 118 yards in the air. That unit was led by returners Chris Howard, Shawn Alli, and Kellen Dreyer. The lone turnover on the night was an interception by black's Brock Reed. 

White's top offensive player, 2009 HAAC MVP Denodus O'Bryant, saw limited playing time but still rushed for 28 yards on five carries. He got loose once for a long gain of 21 yards. Dominic Sherman was the leading rusher with 44 yards on six carries, and Matt Angell was the leading receiver with six receptions for 51 yards. Jai Morris had 29 total yards on four rushes and three carries. 

The clock will start now for Sept. 4 when Lindenwood opens the 2010 season at home against Evangel. The Lions will likely be the No. 2 ranked team in the NAIA when the preseason poll is released in August.