(Anita) CAM Quarterback Chase Spieker broke a 34-34 tie with a two-point conversion with 14 seconds left to play and topped West Bend-Mallard 36-34 in a round of sixteen eight-player matchup at Anita on Friday.
The Cougars found themselves behind the eight-ball in the first half. West Bend-Mallard turned a goal-line stand in the first quarter into a 79-yard drive, capped off by Landon Montag’s one-yard run early in the second quarter. Montag mirrored the one-yard plunge with 8:04 left in the half. The two-point conversion was good, and the visitors led 14-0.
CAM’s big play ability and the aerial game proved to be the difference down the stretch. Spieker targeted Jack Follman on a 58-yard pass with 7:46 left in the first half. The extra point failed, leaving the score 14-6.
CAM, still looking for answers to stop the Wolverines ground attack, gave up a 39-yard touchdown run by Cole Fehr with 6:13 left to play in the first half. The extra point was good, and the visitors led 22-6. But, following the Wolverines kick-off, Spieker, and Follman hooked up again on the first play from scrimmage. This one covered 42 yards; Chase Jade caught Spiekers’ pass for two, and the Cougars were within arm’s length again, 22-14. The Wolverines ground out a late drive in the second quarter, capped by Logan Grimm’s four-yard run, to push the score to 28-14 at the half.
CAM shifted the momentum in the second half. The Cougar defense stopped the Wolverines to open the second half and pulled within a touchdown after Spieker scored from seven yards out, closing the gap to 28-22. The Cougars appeared to be tipping the scale late in the third quarter until Landon Montag broke loose on a 36-yard jaunt to the end zone, giving West Bend-Mallard a 34-22 advantage heading into the final 12 minutes of the contest.
The fourth quarter belonged to CAM. They shut down the Wolverines’ running game and answered with two touchdowns, including Spiekers’ two-yard run with 14 seconds left. Coach Bower chose to go for two, and Spieker bounced through the wall to put the Cougars up 36-32 and a trip to the quarterfinals.
Chase Spieker completed 15 of 26 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns. The junior QB also rushed for 105 yards and scored three touchdowns. Jack Follman led the receivers with seven catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Brody Paulsen led the defense with 12.5 tackles.
CAM (10-0) squares off against Bishop Garrigan Algona on Thursday. Bishop-Garrigan advanced to the quarterfinals with an upset win over Remsen-St. Mary’s, 21-18.
