Trailing for the first time this season just four minutes into game number six, Spirit Lake rallied to score 21 straight points and seize control of their district matchup at Central Lyon/George-Little Rock on Friday, winning by a 21-10 margin to remain perfect on the season. The Lions returned an early Indians punt to the seven yard line, however, the Spirit Lake defense flexed its muscle to hold CL/GLR to just a field goal. After a missed Spirit Lake field goal, the Indians found the end zone twice in the second quarter as Luke Kabele ran 87 yards to paydirt, which was followed by a Paul Brown pass to Rick Maris from 37 yards out to give the Indians an eleven point lead at half. Brown scored again in the third to complete the scoring. The offense racked up 343 yards, led by Kabele’s 162. He becomes the first 100-yard rusher for the Indians this season. Brown threw for 144 yards on ten completions. Maris had 60 yards receiving and Zach Herrig finished with 51. The Indians defense held the Central Lyon/George-Little Rock attack to 159 total yards. The Lions are now 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the district, while Spirit Lake improves to 6-0 on the season and 3-0 in district play. The Indians are off next week.
Click here for the postgame interviews with Luke Kabele, Rick Maris, and coach Josh Bolluyt.
In other Class 2A District 1 action, Sioux Center won a defensive battle with Sheldon, 7-0, while Unity Christian trounced all over defending district champ Western Christian, 35-0.
Undefeated Emmetsburg stayed that way with another convincing and lopsided win on Friday in Class 1A, taking down South O’Brien, 42-0. Quarterback Jake Jackson ran for a team-high 73 yards and three touchdowns, while also throwing for another 43 yards and a score. That was part of a 400-plus yard night by the E-Hawks offense. The defense stymied the Wolverines offense to the tune of 84 total yards. South O’Brien falls to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in district action. Emmetsburg sits at 5-0 this fall and 3-0 in league play. They host defending state champion West Lyon next Friday, a game that will air live on Y100.
The Wildcats maintained their perfect record in district play, handing Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn its worse loss of the season, a 42-6 decision in Larchwood. The Hawks fall to 2-1 in district games and 3-2 overall. HMS will host Sioux Central in one week, a game that will be carried live on KUOO.
The Rebels will be coming off a high-scoring 32-27 win over Alta-Aurelia. Also in Class 1A, Sibley-Ocheyedan took another step towards the postseason with a 32-27 win against Pocahontas/Pomeroy-Palmer.
Homecoming will be a celebratory one this year at Harris-Lake Park following the Wolves 42-0 thrashing of North Sentral Kossuth on Friday in Lake Park. It was the first win ever for HLP over NSK in 8-man football. Colin Brons completed 16 passes to five different receivers for 204 yards and five touchdowns. Eli Ihnen provided the big play on defense, returning an interception 17 yards for a touchdown. The Wolves are 2-1 in conference play and 5-1 overall. They will face their toughest test next Friday when they hit the road to battle defending state champion Armstrong-Ringsted on Q102.
Click here for the postgame interview with coach Lane Gunderson.
The Mustangs will enter that game with the state’s longest winning streak in tact following last night’s 59-35 win over Graettinger-Terril. The Knights hung tough, trailing by four after three quarters at 39-35 before A-R rattled off 20 straight points in the fourth quarter. Armstrong-Ringsted has won 29 consecutive games and is perfect through six weeks.
One other 8-man result from Friday, Ventura topped CWL, 60-12.
In Class 3A, Spencer grabbed their second win of the year and first in district play with a 30-0 blanking of rival Storm Lake. The Tigers are 2-4. Also, Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley topped LeMars, 28-7. Sioux City Bishop Heelan stayed undefeated, taking down MOC-Floyd Valley 20-3, and Sergeant Bluff-Luton defeated Denison-Schleswig by a touchdown, 22-14.
North of the border, Jackson County Central lost for the first time, falling 44-7 at Marshall. Martin County West shutout New Richland, 14-0. Fairmont notched a 33-23 victory against Waseca, and Worthington beat down Windom, 47-14.
