(Atlantic) Des Moines Christian defeated Atlantic 17-9 in a hard-fought matchup on Friday night in Atlantic. The Lions scored twice on the ground and added a 23-yard field goal, while the Trojans countered with one rushing touchdown and a 42-yard field goal. Des Moines Christian Head Coach Matt Daniels says it was a gritty football game.
Atlantic won the coin toss and deferred, giving DMC the ball to start. The Lions capitalized with a 67-yard drive lasting nearly seven minutes, capped by a one-yard touchdown run from quarterback Max Town. Malachi Osborne’s extra point made it 7-0. Coach Daniels says the opening drive helped to set the tone for the game.
The Trojans appeared to catch a break on the next possession when a muffed punt set them up at the DMC 44. Atlantic converted the opportunity, driving to the two-yard line before senior fullback Gavin McLaren punched it in. The extra point was missed, leaving the score 7-6.
Both defenses held firm until the final moments of the first half, when the Lions drove to the Trojans’ 13-yard line. Osborne connected on a 23-yard field goal as time expired, giving Des Moines Christian a 10-6 advantage at the break.
The third quarter went scoreless, but early in the fourth, Davis Tokeim broke free for a 43-yard touchdown run with 9:32 remaining, stretching the Lions’ lead to 17-6. Atlantic answered with 5:07 left when Zander Killion drilled a 42-yard field goal, but that would be the final score of the night.
Atlantic’s head football coach, Joe Brummer, expressed pride in the team’s determination.
Coach Brummer commended the defensive secondary for their strong performance.
Next week, the Trojans will head to Storm Lake for their last non-district matchup of the season.
Meanwhile, fifth-ranked Des Moines Christian (Class 3A) has improved to a 3-0 record and will be hosting Creston next week.
