TAMA - The South Tama football team survived Dallas Center-Grimes' late comeback to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2007 with a 26-24 triumph over the visiting Mustangs in Friday's Class 3A District 4 opener.
Kyle Stephenson rushed for 212 yards and a pair of first-half touchdowns, helping South Tama (3-0, 1-0) take a 14-6 lead into the half.
Stephenson's 42-yard burst on broke the scoreless tie late in the first quarter and the Trojans got in front by two scores before DCG (0-3, 0-1) got over top of the STC secondary for a long touchdown pass on the final play of the first half.
Article Photos
T-R PHOTO BY ROSS THEDE
South Tama County tailback Kyle Stephenson slips through the tackle attempt of Dallas Center-Grimes defender Colin Schroeder on his way to a 42-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter of Friday’s Class 3A District 4 football game in Tama. Stephenson ran for 212 yards and two touchdowns as the Trojans prevailed 26-24.
Erik Lux pounded home a touchdown run and quarterback Sam Kuhter connected with
Clay Waterbury for a scoring strike to give the Trojans a 26-18 lead in the fourth quarter. Dallas Center-Grimes retailated with touchdown with 2:08 remaining but the two-point conversion failed.
The Mustangs recovered their ensuing onside kick but a pair of quarterback sacks by Garrett Hoskey helped South Tama stem the comeback attempt. DCG's fourth-and-25 pass came up short and the Trojans ran the final 40 seconds off the clock for the win.
Kuhter finished 5-for-8 passing for 101 yards for South Tama, which goes on the road next Friday night to face Newton (0-3, 0-1).