MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Hendrix College football team's 2015 campaign came to a close on Saturday with a 38-27 loss to Huntingdon College in the first round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs.

The Warriors, in just their third year since restarting football, finish the year as the Southern Athletic Association champions with an 8-3 record, the most wins in school history.

The Hawks (10-1) advance to the second round where they will face #13 Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Hendrix started the game with an 85-yard kickoff return by Ben Luedtke, but the touchdown was called off due to a holding call. The Orange & Black shook off the penalty and scored on a 22-yard run by junior quarterback Seth Peters to take an early lead. Huntingdon answered with a five-yard TD from John Iwaniec on their opening drive.

On the next possession, the Warriors settled for a 21-yard field goal by junior kicker Steve Crenshaw. On the ensuing kickoff, freshman Stone Paul forced a Hawk fumble and recovered it, giving the Warriors the ball at the Huntingdon 21. Five plays later, Peters found Ben Luedtke in the endzone on an eight-yard pass to give Hendrix a 17-7 lead.

Huntingdon scored on a 23-yard pass from Luke Bailey to Diggan Andre to make the game 17-14 at the end of the first quarter. The Warriors threw a interception to Anthony White on the first play of the second quarter, and the Hawks took advantage, finishing their short field drive with a one-yard Iwaniec run, taking a 21-17 lead.

The Warriors moved ahead 24-21 two drives later when Peters threw to Luedtke for a 75-yard touchdown, the longest reception in program history. Huntingdon's Chase Young hit a 25-yard field goal near the end of the second quarter to make the game 24-24 at halftime.

The Hawks took a 31-24 lead after an Iwaniec 12-yard run for a score to start the third quarter. The Warriors were held to a Crenshaw 23-yard field goal on their next drive, making the game 31-27.

The final touchdown of the day was scored on a Bailey 14-yard run with 14:48 to play in the game. Hendrix was forced to punt on their next drive, but a Kody Smith interception gave the Warriors the ball back on their own 25 with 10:01 remaining.

Hendrix drove down to the Huntingdon 16, but missed a 33-yard field goal with 5:49 left on the clock. The Hawks converted three first downs on their final drive and ran out the clock.

Huntingdon finished the game with 469 yards on 71 plays. Hendrix ran 63 plays for 416 yards. Both teams averaged 6.6 per play.

Hendrix Notes
- Junior running back Dayton Winn carried the ball 22 times for 121 yards, his 10th 100-yard performance of the year. He also had two catches for 55 yards.
- Peters was 14-of-28 passing for 264 yards, two TDs and an interception. He also ran for 43 yards and a touchdown.
- Luedtke had seven catches for 139 yards and two scores.
- Senior safety Caleb Shannon recorded 11 tackles. He set the school record with 97 on the season.
- Junior corner back Shaquille Grant came up with a career-high 11 tackles, including nine solo.
- Freshman Chandler Marquardt had seven tackles, including one for a loss.

Huntingdon Notes
- Iwaniec finished the day with 17 carries for 122 yards and three touchdowns.
- Bailey was 21-of-27 for 230 yards, a TD and a pick. He also rushed for 74 yards and a score.
- Zach Camp had four catches for 80 yards.
- Parker Allen had one punt for 69 yards.
- Trey Hayes, Anthony Wood and White each had eight tackles.
- Heath McCray and Kris Cannon each recorded a sack.