(Audubon, IA) – The Audubon Wheelers fall to the Lenox Tigers in the second round of playoff action 33-8. Not only did the Tigers hold the Wheelers to just 8 points, they held them scoreless in the second, third, and fourth quarters.
While the score looked like the game was out of hand, the Wheelers stayed tight through the beginning of the first quarter. Lenox started things off in the scoring column with a breakaway rush by Jordan Martin-England as he rushed for a 39-yard rushing touchdown to put the Tigers up 7-0. Audubon also scored on their first offensive drive with multiple marches downfield, including a 37-yard pass to Austin Christensen that helped lead to the seven-yard touchdown rush by Aaron Olsen. The Wheelers scored on their two-point conversion which gave them their first and only lead. That lead didn’t last long as the Tigers went back to answer on the scoreboard once again. With multiple plays downfield, the Tigers bounced back as they handed the ball off to Dalton Kitzman as he rushed in for a three-yard touchdown to put Lenox up 13-8.
The second quarter saw scoring on the Tigers’ side of the field once again. After a fumble by the Wheelers, the Tigers took advantage of the opportunity and drove down the field on just one play. Gabe Funk had a route set up for Donald Bashor downfield as he passed for a 33-yard touchdown to put the Tigers up 19-8. Before the half, the Wheelers attempted another drive as they went all the way down to the five-yard line as they were second and goal. Aaron Olsen looked in the endzone and threw right to Gabe Funk as he intercepted the ball to end the half with a 19-8 Lenox lead.
While Audubon was looking to start out the third quarter on a high note, things did not go their way as Lenox was able to add on another rushing touchdown by quarterback Gabe Funk as he rushed in for a 19-yard touchdown after a breakaway play. Audubon was not able to do anything on their offensive drives after seeing Evan Alt come out of the game and didn’t see the junior return to the field. Lenox went into the fourth quarter leading 27-8. In the fourth quarter, the Tigers went on to add another touchdown rush by Dalton Kitzman for his second rushing touchdown on the night. That not only put Lenox further ahead, but ended up being the final score of the game as Lenox won 33-8.
Leading for Lenox on the night was Jordan Martin-England with 159 rushing yards and a touchdown. Gabe Funk was right behind Martin-England with 102 rushing yards and earned a rushing and throwing touchdown. Dalton Kitzman not only had two touchdowns but also rushed for 55 yards in the game. Lenox advances to the next round as they will take on Bedford after their win over Exira-EHK.
The Audubon Wheelers were led by Aaron Olsen with 75 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Evan Alt rushed for 54 yards on the night to add to the board. Olsen also went 3-3 in the passing game with 44 passing yards with a 37-yard pass to Austin Christensen. Head coach Sean Birks was proud of his seniors on their overall successful season as they not only turned things around in the win column, but they turned around the program with their leadership.
Looking ahead for Audubon, the Wheelers lose four offensive starters and four defensive starters coming into next season. There is a lot ahead for Audubon, but at the same time, you cannot forget a very successful season for the Wheelers and their perseverance in their eight-game winning streak.
Lenox takes on Bedford in the next round as the Wheelers finish their season as 8-2 overall.
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