Defense and big plays keyed the Spirit Lake Indians to a season opening 25-6 win over the Spencer Tigers Friday night. The Indians led 6-0 through halftime, until Rick Maris found the end zone twice in the third quarter. First it was a 65-yard burst up the sideline on offense, then a 30-yard fumble return for a score on defense to make it 18-0. Both teams would then score on their final drives. Spirit Lake outgained the Tigers by 124 yards, due in large part to Cody Poock’s two carries for 99 yards, Maris’ seven rushes for 89 yards and Mitch Peschon’s eleven completions that resulted in 87 yards. Bryan Tewes paced Spencer with 55 yards rushing, while Robby Schlaeger threw seven passes for 45 yards and a touchdown. The Indians will host Storm Lake in the home opener next week, while Spencer travels to rival Emmetsburg.
Turnovers and a special teams mistake plagued the Okoboji Pioneers as they drop the season opener to Sibley-Ocheyedan by an 18-0 final. The Generals forced three turnovers and blocked a punt, while also outgaining the Pioneers 263 yards to 112. Tate Hanson ran for 54 yards to lead Okoboji and Zach Jones threw for 53 yards. Sibley-Ocheyedan was paced by Troy Schmidt, who ran for 73 yards and threw for 145 more and a touchdown. Brett Doeden caught three passes for 76 yards. Okoboji travels to Sioux Central next Friday. The Generals host West Sioux.
Harris-Lake Park ran roughshod over Granville Spalding Catholic to start the year 1-0. The Wolves won 51-12 behind Mychal Sheridan’s 188 yards rushing for four scores. He also caught six passes for 70 yards. H-LP travels to Remsen St. Mary’s in week two.
The fourth-ranked Emmetsburg EHawks used a 20-point second quarter to breeze past Estherville-Lincoln Central 29-0. Nick Wuebker scored twice on passes from Corey Schultes, who also ran one in from 52 yards out. Emmetsburg is at Spencer next week.
The Hawks of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn also put up big numbers in their first game, taking down LeMars Gehlen Catholic 42-26. Josh Treyble registered five touchdowns and 247 yards rushing, while teammate Matt Fitch threw for nearly 200 yards and a score. HMS takes to the road in a week to battle Cherokee.
Other scores from opening night of the Iowa high school football season include:
Storm Lake 46, Cherokee 14
North Sentral Kossuth 30, WCLT 20
Newell-Fonda 53, Ruthven-Ayrshire 7
Hull Western Christian 18, Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley 2
Armstrong-Ringsted 42, Remsen St. Mary’s 16
Graettinger-Terril 25, Remsen-Union 13
Clay Central-Everly 37, Sioux Central 14
