The seventh-ranked Baker football team bounced back from its first loss of the season to defeat No. 23 Evangel, 26-6, to win its third straight Heart of America Athletic Conference south division title on Saturday in Springfield, Mo.

Eudora product Grant Elston led the Wildcats with eight tackles and an interception. Lawrence High alumnus Ivan Hollins chipped in seven tackles, as the Wildcats held Evangel to two third-quarter field goals.

Former Lawrence High standout JD Woods jump-started the Baker offense with a 31-yard touchdown run less than two minutes in. Woods finished with 111 yards on 13 carries. Nate Pauly added 99 yards on 13 totes.

Marco Aguinaga completed 26 of his 38 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown. Aguinaga’s touchdown pass came on a 60-yard strike to Clarence Clark, who hauled in nine receptions for 120 yards.

Abram Garcia converted four of his six field goal attempts.

By winning the Heart south division, the Wildcats secured an automatic berth to the NAIA playoffs. The first-round matchups will be announced at 4 p.m. Sunday. The NAIA playoffs will begin on Saturday, Nov. 18.