It’s yet another milestone moment for the Spirit Lake football team in a 2011 season filled with historic achievements, but Monday’s 31-7 defeat of Carroll Kuemper Catholic in the Class 2A state quarterfinals will send the Indians to the semifinals at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls for the first time in school history. Spirit Lake broke a scoreless tie late in the first half when Luke Kabele took a Paul Brown screen-pass to the end zone, capping a ten-play drive with just over a minute remaining. Two plays later, Alex Dau snatched the first of his career-high three interceptions and returned it to the Knights’ 24-yard line, leading to a 38-yard field goal from Brett Cochran-Bray and a 10-0 lead at the half. After Kuemper Catholic took the opening drive of the third quarter 68 yards for their first touchdown, Spirit Lake was quick to answer. Brown hooked up with Zach Herrig on a 53-yard scoring strike to make it 16-7. The quarter closed on Dau’s second pick, which he nearly returned for a touchdown, but was brought down at the one yard line, setting up Kabele’s second touchdown. The tailback added another in the fourth quarter from 51 yards out, as part of a 148-yard rushing effort. The senior amassed 199 yards of total offense and three scores. Brown completed eleven passes for 145 yards and two TDs. The Indians defense held senior tailback Michael Strautman to 90 yards on 20 carries and intercepted a total of five passes on the night. The Knights end their season at 10-2 overall. Spirit Lake will take their perfect 12-0 record to Cedar Falls on Monday for a semifinal showdown with fellow unbeaten West Marshall, State Center. The Trojans eliminated previously undefeated PCM, Monroe by a 41-14 margin. Kickoff at the UNI-Dome is set for 1:30pm, with coverage LIVE on KUOO Campus Radio.
Click here for postgame interviews with Luke Kabele, Alex Dau, and coach Josh Bolluyt.
The other Class 2A semifinal will pit undefeated and defending state champion Iowa City Regina against 11-1 Dyersville Beckman.
The Class 1A quarterfinal was all about top-ranked Emmetsburg avenging last fall’s playoff loss to eventual champion West Lyon, as the E-Hawks prevailed in resounding fashion with a 35-0 win to earn the school’s 22nd appearance in the state semifinals. Emmetsburg reached their 35-point advantage in the first half of play behind 293 yards of offense. Brady Berkland pounded out 104 yards on the ground with three touchdowns. Andrew Wellik racked up 76 yards and two scores. West Lyon was bottled up for just 65 total yards in the contest. The Wildcats turned the ball over three times as they end the 2011 season at 9-3. Emmetsburg, at 12-0, will play Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls against another undefeated school, Council Bluffs St. Albert. The Falcons made their way with a 35-7 decision over Logan-Magnolia. That semifinal matchup will kickoff at noon and will be aired LIVE on Y100.
The other final four participants in Class 1A are St. Ansgar and West Branch, both of whom are 10-2 and pulled off upset wins in the quarterfinals on their home fields to advance.
Class 3A also held their quarterfinals on Monday, and undefeated Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley was unable to keep their perfect season alive, falling at Harlan, 28-7. The Nighthawks cap 2011 with an 11-1 record. Harlan will move on to battle Decorah (10-2) in the semfinals, while undefeated ADM, Adel squares off with 10-2 Union, LaPorte City in the other semifinal game to be played Monday night.
