by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Is Wellington’s winning football tradition back? Well after week #2 things most certainly looks like it might be a little closer.

The Crusaders are 2-0 for the first time since 2009, beating Concordia 27-6 at its home opener at Sellers Park. Using a rushing attack that accumulated 234 yards included 142 yards from Austin Dunn and 85 yards from Connor Phelps.

Defensively, Wellington held Concordia to just 140 yards of offense – all of them on the run. Concordia completed one pass for no yards.

A year ago, Concordia stymied Wellington 51-14. But from the onset, it was clear Wellington could drive on this particular Panther team. The Crusaders immediately moved into enemy territory only to be stalled when Wellington quarterback Trevor Nance threw an interception.

Concordia started things up on its own 46 and methodically drove up field on the ground on an 11-play drive that ended on a Zach Kyle 2 yard touchdown plunge to give the Panthers a 6-0 lead.

At that point it looked as if Wellington might be in for a long evening.

But from that point forward, Concordia made three first downs, establishing no passing yards and precious few rushing plays.

Wellington, on the other hand, was having a day.

The Crusaders scored their first touchdown on a Conner Phelps, 24 yard touchdown run on a sweep, the first of three touchdowns for the sophomore. Colin Reichenberger’s PAT kick gave Wellington a 7-6 lead. Little did anyone know then that was all the points the Dukes needed.

Wellington stopped Concordia 3-and-out and after a Phelps kickoff return to the Concordia 37, Nance connected with Reichenberger for a 17-yard gain. A little later, Brenton Troutman made a huge pass reception on fourth down to put the Dukes on the 12. Five plays later Nance goes in on a quarterback keeper.

After another stalled Panther drive, Andrew Horn snagged a 21-yard pass completion to get to the 29. That set up an eventual Nance touchdown run. The score was 20-6 at the half.

Concordia opened the second half with what appeared to be a huge kickoff return that almost went for a touchdown, but he fumbled with one man to beat and instead Wellington recovered at midfield.

The third quarter was a sloppy one with neither team scoring and committing turnovers. Then in the fourth, Wellington got the ball deep and appeared to have made its fourth touchdown on a fourth and 4 pass from Nance to Horn. But a holding penalty negated the touchdown and Wellington went for it on 4th and 19.

Perhaps in the play of the game, Nance rolled to his right and threw left finding Phelps in the corner of the end zone who shed the defender to make the touchdown.

Concordia never made much progress thereafter. Wellington travels to Augusta next week.

Wellington 27 Concordia 6

Concordia 6 0 0 0 — 6

Wellington 7 13 0 7 — 27

C— Zach Kyle 2 run (PAT run no good).

W— Phelps 24 run (Reichenberger kick).

W— Nance 1 run (PAT kick no good).

W— Phelps 5 run (Reichenberger kick).

W— Nance to Phelps 19 pass (Reichenberger kick).

Full stats are here:http://www.hudl.com/boxscore/698/(null)