By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The Benedictine Ravens are in the NAIA Conference semifinals for a second consecutive season, looking for a trip to the championship.
The Ravens are once again in the semifinal match, after a heartbreaking loss last season.
"We took a crushing loss last year in the semifinals down in Florida to Keiser, had the lead and gave it up and had a play at the end of the game to win and didn’t get it done,” Head Coach Joel Osborn tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
Osborn says after that defeat, the team had a mission, and with only one loss this season, now have a chance to finish that mission. That loss, though, is against their opponent.
Benedictine will face Grand View in Des Moines tomorrow, a team they lost against in week two 27-24.
"So, we get another opportunity to go up there, and this time it’s for a chance to play in a National Championship,” Osborn says. “So, there’s nothing more you could ask for at this point in time in the season and we’re looking forward to tomorrow’s game.”
The Ravens opened the season against two top five opponents in Morningside and Grand View, winning one and losing the other.
Osborn says playing those tough matchups early in the season helps prepare you for the playoffs, because you feel like you've been there before
"So, it’s not the first time you’re doing it, so you’re not having to change how you prepare, you’re not having to change how you practice, and do those things,” Osborn explains. “And then in those games we were in those tight crunch situations and that really helped us I feel like.”
With a win, the Ravens would head to their first championship game since 2018. Osborn says it's a goal for this team to win a national championship, so winning this game would help them get one step closer.
Osborn though says they are completely focused right now on winning this game against the Vikings
"And more so than anything, not just winning but putting our best foot forward, the big keys for us are going to be the most physical team, being the disciplined team and winning the turnover battle, and if we do those things we can live with the results regardless of what they are,” Osborn says. “But if we’re able to win this game and we have a lot of confidence in our abilities, then we love, love our chances next week in the National Championship.”
Osborn says they aren't looking past Grand View though. The game will kick off at noon in Des Moines tomorrow.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.