Class 3A Semifinals Recap
Dubuque Wahlert 17, Sgt. Bluff-Luton 16
The Golden Eagles got a blocked extra point and a big interception late in the game to deny a comeback by a strong Warriors squad and moved to the 3A state championship.
Wahlert would commit the first TO of the game when Drew Reilly was picked off by Brayden Kerr at the WAH44 and returned 36 yards to the 8 yard line. SBL only gained 3 yards and had to settle for a 23 yard field goal from Necco Rojas and the Warriors led 3-0. The Eagles turned it over again on their next drive — on 1st and 10 at the SBL44, Reilly coughed it up and Kerr would recover. The Warriors went 3 and out and only punted to the WAH22. Dubuque would then get the big play — Michael Bormann would break free on a 78 yard TD run and the Golden Eagles led 7-3.
Sgt. Bluff Luton started a long drive that would go into the 2nd quarter but stalled at the WAH21 with a 4th and 14. Rojas tried a 38 yard field goal but it missed. It was back to back punts until Wahlert got it back at the SB42 and got to the SB12 and settled for a 28 yard field goal from Nathan Schiesl to make it 10-3 at the half.
The Warriors had the ball first in the third quarter but went backward — Isiah Jervik was sacked for a loss of 8 by Tom Scherr and the Warriors had to punt out of their own end zone. Wahlert started at the SB40 and would take advantage. After a loss of 5, Bormann kept it for a 35 yard gain to the SB10. The Warriors defense would stuff Wahlert at the 2 forcing a short field goal attempt. The kick was good but Sgt. Bluff Luton was whistled for roughing the kicker and with new life, Scherr would get into the end zone from 1 yard out to make it 17-3 Wahlert.
SB-L would get their offense going, moving to the WAH14 and on 4th and 8, the Warriors skipped the field goal and Jervik found Gavin Warren for a 13 yard TD pass with 1:11 in the third quarter and Wahlert’s lead was cut to 17-10.
The Warriors forced a three and out — on 3rd and 9 Bormann was sacked by Xavier Jones and the Eagles had to punt. SB-L started at midfield and kept it on the ground with Zavyion Ellington, Ryan Husen and Jervik. On 3rd and 12 from the WAH16, Jervik ran for 6 to bring 4th and 6. A false start moved the Warriors back 5 but on 4th and 11, Jervik found Gavin Warren for a 15 yard TD pass. BUT. Wahlert’s Broderick Schmidt would block the extra point to keep the Golden Eagles in front 17-16.
With 5:33 left, Wahlert went conservative, Bormann got an 11 yard run, then an 8 yard scamper but the Warriors defense tightened up and forced a 4th down and 1 at midfield. The Golden Eagles decided to punt and pinned the Warriors to their own 5. On their first play, Ellington was almost brought down in the end zone but was able to get to the 1. An incomplete pass, a delay of game, and on 3rd and 14 Jervik scrambled for 13 and a first down. Ellington ran for 17 with 1:01 left and the Warriors took a timeout.
After an incompletion, Jervik connected to Jensen for 8 but Ellington lost 2. On 4th and 4, Jervik scampered for 7 and a first down to their own 44. Jervik would find Warren again for 17 into Wahlert territory. On 2nd and 10, Jervik completed a 10 yard pass to Tate Loffswold to the WAH31. After an incompletion with 25 seconds left, Jervik would get picked off by Luke Welbes and Wahlert fans could breathe a sigh of relief.
For Sgt. Bluff Luton, Isaiah Jervik was 9-17 passing for 98 yards 2 TD and 1 INT. Zayvion Ellington had 11 carries for 64 yards. Gavin Warren had 6 receptions for 74 yards and 2 TD. The Warriors end their season at 11-1.
For Dubuque Wahlert, Michael Bormann had 14 carries for 184 yards and 1 TD. The Golden Eagles have never won a football state title and they will play in the Class 3A state championship game next Friday.
Complete Box Score, Click HERE
Humboldt 28, Mount Vernon 25
The Wildcats overcame an early deficit against the Mustangs, getting a huge sack and fumble late in the 4th quarter to preserve a chance at their 2nd ever state title.
Mount Vernon would strike first blood on the opening drive of the game — the Mustangs converted a 4th and 1 on their own 45 on a QB sneak. Facing a 3rd and 3 at the H14, Cooper Hird would fumble the ball but recovered it and Mt. Vernon decided to settle for a 32 yard field goal from Bennett Harp. The Wildcats went 3 and out on their first drive and kicked it back to the Mustangs. Starting at their own 13, Mount Vernon went to the air — Kellen Haverback got a 16 yard pass to Cole Thurn, a 14 yarder to Jase Jaspers and then found Watson Krob for a 29 yard TD and a 11-0 lead after a 2 point conversion.
Humboldt would answer — on 3rd and 16 Coen Matson hit Chase Flaherty for a 23 yard pass and a first down. Matson found Mason Van Pelt for 14 and connected with Keegan Groat for 20 to the MV19. On 3rd and 11, Matson scrambled for 12 and Cash McIntire would cash in the drive with a 7 yard TD to cut the lead to 11-7 Mount Vernon.
On the kickoff, Mount Vernon got a great return to the 50 and the Mustangs moved to the HUM37 but Haverback would be picked off by Cael Donahoe and Matson hit three straight passes to move to the MV37. Jaxson Kirchhoff then broke a 30 yard run down to the MV7. Two plays later, Matson hooked up with Groat for a 7 yard TD and Humboldt moved in front 14-11.
Late in the 2nd quarter, Mount Vernon moved again into Humbolt territory but Haverback would get intercepted again, this time by Jackson Flahery and the score would stay 14-11 Wildcats in the locker room.
Neither team could move the ball on their opening drive of the 3rd quarter so Humboldt took over at their own 20 — Matson would hit Groat for 28 yards into Mustang territory. On 3rd and 8, Matson found Valley Davis for 38 yards down to the MV6. Two plays later, Matson flipped one to Groat for a 4 yard TD and Humboldt led 21-11.
Mount Vernon started a time consuming drive from their 20 — it would run 14 plays and early in the 4th Quarter, Cooper Hird ended it with a 3 yard TD run to cut the Humboldt lead to 21-18.
The Wildcats moved their next drive to the MV44 but was forced to punt — Cyler Cirks pinned the Mustangs on their own 8 with 8:47 left. On 3rd and 6, Haverback hit Jaspers for 18 yards but three plays later on 3rd and 7, Mount Vernon fumbled it and Landon Halverson for the Wildcats recovered it at the MV40 with 6:18. Matson went deep on the first play but it was incomplete, Matson would convert a 3rd and 6 with an 8 yard run and then he found Davis for a 23 yard TD pass to give the Wildcats a 28-18 lead with 3:38 left.
Haverback would have to go to the air and in just 4 plays connected with Michael Ryan for 22 yards, then 21 yards for the TD and the Mustangs were still alive, trailing 28-25 with 2:54 left.
Mount Vernon decided to kick it deep and Humboldt got a first down on a Mustangs personal foul. On 1st and 10, Matson was sacked for a loss of 9 by Ethan Wood, Humboldt kept it on the ground and forced Mount Vernon to use all their timeouts but kicked it back to the Mustangs who took over at their 36 with 1:57 left. On the first play, Haverback got sacked by Isaiah Busick and the ball slipped out and was recovered by Humboldt’s Syler Brown. Humboldt went to victory formation and that was that.
For the Mustangs, Kellen Haverback was 22-30 for 227 yards 2 TD and 2 INT. Michael Ryan had 8 catches for 83 yards and 1 TD. Cooper Hird had 21 carries for 69 yards and 1 TD but Mount Vernon’s season ends at 10-2.
For Humboldt, Coen Matson was 16-27 for 208 yards and 3 TD. Keegan Groat had 7 receptions for 83 yards and 2 TD. The Wildcats were held to just 71 yards rushing. The Wildcats are now 11-1 and will face Wahlert in the Class 3A state chamipionshipo game on Friday November 22 at 1pm.
Complete Box Score, Click HERE
