The Central Methodist football program pushed its winning streak to four games, as the Eagles defeated rival Missouri Valley College 41-7 on Saturday afternoon at Davis Field on Homecoming weekend. 

With the win, Central improves its overall record to 7-2 and is now a perfect 3-0 in Heart South Division play. It marks the first time CMU reached seven wins in a season since 1972 when they finished 7-3. The only other seven-plus win campaigns for Central came during the 1949 (8-1), 1930 (9-0), and 1928 (8-2) seasons.

It also marks the fourth-straight year the Eagles have defeated Missouri Valley, with their last defeat coming on October 21, 2017. 

CMU came out firing on its opening possession of the game, driving 70-yards in six plays, capping the two-minute drive with a one-yard touchdown run from sophomore signal-caller Paxton DeLaurent. 

The defense pushed Central’s lead to 14-0 less than a minute later on an interception return for a touchdown by senior defensive back Darian Bell from 34-yards out. DeLaurent added the third touchdown of the quarter for the Eagles on a TD run from two yards out, his second score of the quarter. 

The Vikings would get on the board with 6:09 left in the second via an 11-yard scramble from the MVC quarterback, trimming Central’s lead to 21-7. 

CMU would respond just before halftime, as the offense drove 66-yards in eight plays and chewed up 3:28 of the game clock. DeLaurent found senior wide receiver Katavious Taylor from 10-yards out for the touchdown, pushing the lead back out to three scores.

DeLaurent and Taylor would connect two more times in the third and fourth quarters, first on a 26-yard touchdown pass at the 8:43 mark in the third and a two-yard TD pass just at the beginning of the fourth. 

The Eagles’ defense shut out the Vikings in the second half and finished the afternoon with four forced turnovers, including two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

DeLaurent was outstanding from start to finish, as the sophomore quarterback completed 20-of-30 passes for 299 total yards and three touchdown passes. He also scored two touchdowns on the ground. 

Senior running back Manuyl Langlois led the Eagles’ rushing attack with 68 yards on 12 carries, including a long of 19. Taylor hauled in nine receptions for 136 total yards, including all three of Central’s touchdowns through the air. It marks the senior's fourth 100-yard receiving game in 2021. 

Kooper Wilson had his best game of the season, as the senior recorded season highs in receptions (eight) and receiving yards (79). Junior receiver Koale Schroeder also recorded three receptions for 85 yards including a long of 48. 

Senior defensive back Khari Henley led the defense with nine tackles, including an interception and a pass breakup. Bell and senior linebacker London Chambers each picked up eight tackles, while Bell recorded an interception return for a touchdown. Chambers and junior Mujahid Camel each collected three tackles for loss while Camel recorded a sack and forced fumble. 

The Eagles will battle No. 5 Baker University for the top spot in the Heart South Division standings at 1 p.m. on Saturday on senior day at Davis Field.

Baker currently boasts an 8-1 record with it’s only loss being to Grandview which also handed CMU one of its losses.