(Council Bluffs) Just when it looked like Harlan had put the game away, Lewis Central said ‘Not so fast.’ The Titans scored twice in the final three minutes to defeat the Cyclones 30-27.
Aidan Hall’s 45 yard TD run appeared to be the icing on the cake for Harlan with 3:05 to play. It gave the visitors their first two score lead of the game at 27-16. Lucci Fidone changed the momentum in a hurry with his 95 yard kickoff return for a score. Now within 27-24, Lewis Central recovered an onside kick and moved in for the game winning score. The decisive touchdown was a Braylon Kammrad six yard quarterback keeper with :59 remaining.
Each team showed signs of great play making ability, but the defenses provided their share of highlights as well. The Cyclones got on the board first when Aidan Hall juggled and caught a 24 yard TD pass from Teagon Kasperbauer with 11:52 left in the half. LC had a quick answer on Curtis Witte’s 66 yard scoring reception from Kammrad at the 11:22 mark in the 2nd quarter. Harlan countered with a deep ball of their own. Kasperbauer found Cade Sears from 64 yards out to make it 13-7 in favor of Harlan. Curtis Witte’s second interception of the game eventually led to a Boston Hensley 45 yard field goal late in the first half. Harlan entered the locker room with a 13-10 advantage.
Lewis Central’s first lead of the game came with 6:03 to go in the 3rd quarter. Fidone delivered a 38 yard catch and run to set up a Kammrad one yard scoring sneak. Harlan responded with a big drive late in the 3rd quarter, spearheaded by William Kenkel. The Cyclone fullback posted a pair of long rushing attempts on that possession along with a big gain on a screen pass. He capped it off with a 1 yard TD plunge with :12 left in the quarter to put Harlan back in front 20-16.
Harlan’s TD run from Hall in the 4th quarter marked the biggest lead for either team all night at 11 points. The Iowa commit finished with five catches for 69 yards and a TD plus 76 rushing yards and a score on three attempts. Kenkel motored for 69 yards on the ground with 13 carries. Brad Curren ripped off a 32 yard run in the 4th quarter as part of his 58 yards on the ground. Kasperbauer threw for 209 yards and two TD’s. Lewis Central’s Caleb Moore carried the bulk of the load running the football with 87 yards on 18 attempts. Witte caught three passes for 100 yards and one TD. Kammrad threw for over 150 yards with one TD along with two rushing scores.
Lewis Central avenges a 36-29 loss at Harlan last year and improves to 2-0 on the season. Harlan begins the year 0-1 with their first loss since falling to North Scott in the 2020 state championship game.
