Chris Welch’s job of rebuilding the Graceland football program has taken the Yellowjackets near the nation’s top ten. Graceland is rated 11th in the latest NAIA top-25 after moving to 3-0 with a 51-25 victory of Baker University. Welch says while the coaches don’t focus on the ranking it is something the players are proud of. He says you liked to be recognized for your hard work and he says he’s told his team to continue working hard and the recognition will come.After nearly making the national playoffs in 2004 Welch said hopes were high coming into this season. He says they’d hoped for this and that’s the plan.Two stats show why Graceland has been successful, the Yellow Jackets are averaging 247 yards of rushing per game and yielding only 50 yards per contest. Welch says they’ve concentrated on the rushing game and defensively on slowing people down.Graceland visits Culver-Stockton on Saturday.
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