In a thrilling Saturday night showdown at Welcome Stadium, the Dayton Flyers secured a 31‑20 win over the Valparaiso Beacons, improving to 8‑1 overall and 5‑1 in the Pioneer Football League. Senior quarterback Bryce Schondelmyer threw four touchdown passes, including the game‑winning scores in the fourth quarter.
First half: Flyers take early lead
Dayton opened the scoring when kicker David Mauer nailed a 31‑yard field goal, putting the Flyers ahead 3‑0 after the first quarter. Schondelmyer extended the lead with a 27‑yard touchdown pass to Donovan Wheatley, making it 10‑0. Valparaiso answered with a field goal, trimming the deficit to 10‑3.
Late in the second quarter, senior wideout LeRoy Lewis IV caught a five‑yard touchdown pass, pushing the Flyers to a 17‑3 advantage with just over two minutes left before halftime.
Second half: Beacons fight back
Valparaiso rallied in the third quarter, scoring a field goal and a touchdown to seize a 20‑17 lead. Dayton’s defense responded with a crucial play when safety Nic Lendino intercepted a pass and returned it for a pick‑six, narrowing the gap to 17‑10 at halftime.
Fourth quarter: Two touchdowns seal the win
After a turnover early in the final period, Dayton’s defense forced a punt. Paul Kelly returned the punt to the Beacons’ 40‑yard line, setting up a quick drive. With 3:08 left, Schondelmyer found senior wideout Michael Mussari Following an interception by Jace Schaefer with two minutes remaining, the Flyers drove to the Valparaiso 33‑yard line. Schondelmyer then connected with senior receiver Gavin Lochow on a 34‑yard strike, sealing the victory. The Flyers now sit atop the Pioneer Football League standings and will host Davidson on Nov. 7 for Senior Day, with kickoff slated for noon. Fans can tune in to the game on WHIO Radio, where Larry Hansgen and Mike Kelly will provide live commentary. Original reporting: WHIO-TV Dayton (local) — read the source article.Stat line highlights
