A lopsided third quarter is what separated Spirit Lake from in-county rival Okoboji Friday night, as the Indians turned a hard-fought 7-6 ballgame into a lopsided 34-6 win in district play. The Indians scored on each of their first three possessions in the second half, though only one began in their own territory, and eventually outgained the Pioneers by 183 yards. Mitch Peschon threw for two touchdowns and 95 yards, while also rushing for 41 yards and a score. Cody Poock amassed 87 yards of total offense and two touchdowns, and Luke Kabele ran for 82 yards and a found the end zone on the opening drive of the second half. Okoboji’s Tanner Taylor scored the lone Pioneers touchdown on a 42-yard reception from Zach Jones with three minutes remaining before halftime. Taylor also threw for 23 yards and Jones completed five passes for 82 yards. Bryson McCabe was the leading rusher with 19 yards on eleven carries. Okoboji now sits at 0-6 on the year and 0-4 in the district, and travel to Sioux Center next week. The win bumps up Spirit Lake to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in district play with a matchup against Estherville-Lincoln Central slated for next week.
Also in Class 2A, Sheldon removed Western Christian from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 32-22 win, Sioux Center went to overtime for a 17-14 win over Central Lyon/George-Little Rock, and Unity Christian shutout Estherville-Lincoln Central 20-0.
Harris-Lake Park knew it would have its hands full Friday against the defending 8-man champs Armstrong-Ringsted, and the Mustangs proved why with a resounding 68-8 victory over the Wolves. Spencer Clausen ran for 138 yards and two touchdowns, while also throwing for two more scores to pace A-R, who is now 6-0 on the year. HLP received 19 yards rushing from Mychal Sheridan, 69 yards receiving by Jacob Ihnen, and Nathan Kyle caught a 50-yard touchdown pass late. The Wolves are now 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the district. They will host the Knights of Graettinger-Terril in Week 7.
Other scores from 8-man football include Graettinger-Terril thumping West Bend-Mallard 64-20 and Ruthven-Ayrshire over Corwith-Wesley-Luverne 26-14.
The Emmetsburg EHawks made it 25-straight regular season wins with a hard-fought 17-10 victory over West Lyon in Class 1A. Andrew Wellik carried the ball for 157 yards and two touchdowns. The EHawks are at Sibley-Ocheyedan next week. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn got back on the winning track with a 49-6 defeat of Sioux Central, Sibley-Ocheyedan took down South O’Brien 42-12 and Pocahontas doubled up Alta-Aurelia 12-6.
In Class 3A, Spencer fell to Denison-Schleswig 38-14, Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley defeated Storm Lake 43-6, LeMars won 20-3 over MOC-Floyd Valley, and Bishop Heelan Catholic took down Sergeant Bluff-Luton 45-14. Also, from Class A, Clay Central-Everly fell to Gehlen Catholic 42-22.
North of the border, Jackson County Central ran all over Redwood Valley 42-6, Martin County West beat up GFW 32-6 and Fairmont earned a 41-21 victory over Waseca.
