(Pictured: the Audubon Seniors)
(Audubon, IA) — Audubon will be heading to the UNI Dome next week with a 59-34 win over North Union in the 8 Man Quarterfinals on Thursday night.
The Wheelers overcame a terrible start and scored the first 23 points of the 2nd half to build a lead that the Warriors could not overcome.
On the 2nd play from scrimmage, Audubon fumbled and North Union took advantage with a 4 yard TD run from Carson Crouch. Moments later, Wheelers QB Aiden Kjergaard threw his 3rd interception of the season but the Warriors failed on 4th and 10 as Karter Obermeier sacked QB Greyson Colegrove.
Audubon went 3 and out on their next possession but the Warriors were forced to punt and then Kjergaard broke one — a 72 yard TD run to tie the game at 7-7.
North Union failed to convert another 4th down in the red zone and Kjergaard found the end zone again on a 20 yard run to make it 14-7.
The Warriors decided to go for it on 4th and 2 at their own 35 yard line and Mason Kasperbauer tackled Crouch short for no gain. Kjergaard would cap off the Wheelers drive with a 5 yard TD run and the two point conversion made it 22-7.
However, North Union got a big play before the end of the first half as Colegrove hit Max Heinen with a 65 yard TD pass and Audubon led 22-14 going into the locker room.
On the first drive of the 2nd half, Colegrove broke a 38 yard run to get into the red zone but on 3rd down and 3 Colegrove was picked off by Kjergaard who would promptly broke a 68 yard TD run to make it 30-14.
After a North Union punt, Kasperbauer broke a 60 yard TD run to make it 38-14. The Warriors failed again to convert a 4th down and Kjergaard took it to the house for his 5th TD of the game this time from 37 yards to make it 45-14.
Colegrove would answer with a 60 yard TD pass to Cooper Hoye to make it 45-20 but Kjergaard would get TD #6 on a 53 yard scamper.
Colegrove found Brody Gochanour for a 32 yard TD pass but Kasperbauer put it away with a 41 yard TD run. North Union added another TD before the end of the game but it was too little too late.
Audubon is now 11-0 and will face Gladbrook Reinbeck in the 8 Man Semifinals on Wednesday, November 11 at 1pm, coverage on KSOM.
Complete Box Score: Audubon v. North Union
Audubon
Aiden Kjergaard 26 carries, 361 yards, 6 TD; 11.5 tackles
Mason Kasperbauer 10 carries, 136 yards, 2 TD; 10 tackles
Karter Obermeier 9.5 tackles
North Union
Grayson Colegrove 20 carries, 167 yards; 11-19 passing, 189 yards, 3 TD
Carson Crouch 27 carries, 125 yards, 1 TD
North Union (9-2) 7-7-6-14 — 34
Audubon (11-0) 7-15-23-14 — 59
