PREP FOOTBALL: Spartans handle South Hardin top-five clash
ELDORA — Top-ranked Grundy Center snuffed out No. 5 South Hardin 35-0 in Friday’s showdown between ranked Class 1A football teams.
Spartan quarterback Judd Jirovsky threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more scores, leading Grundy Center (6-0, 3-0) to the front of the District 4 standings ahead of South Hardin (5-1, 2-1). Jirovsky was 12-for-17 passing for 142 yards, connecting with Tiernan Vokes for a 35-yard scoring strike and Brody Zinkula for a 25-yard score.
Zinkula finished with 21 carries for 100 yards and a 7-yard TD, while Jirovsky had 48 yards on the ground and a 12-yard touchdown dash. Vokes had four catches for 52 yards and Devin Hinders added five catches for 37 yards.
The Grundy Center defense held South Hardin to 120 yards of total offense while forcing four turnovers in the win.
West Marshall marches past Cadets, 37-12
IOWA FALLS — The Class 2A No. 8 West Marshall football team kept up pace in District 6 with a 37-12 triumph over Iowa Falls-Alden on Friday night.
The Trojans (5-1, 3-0) will host unbeaten and second-ranked PCM (6-0, 3-0) next Friday night in State Center.
West Marshall led 10-0 at the half against the Cadets (2-4, 2-1) and pulled away in the second half. Quarterback Vincent Clawson was 16-for-23 for 263 yards and a touchdown, hooking up eight times with Kinnick Geers for 122 yards and a touchdown. Jace Eich added four grabs for 96 yards.
Ben Gonzalez led the Trojans on the ground with 63 yards and a score, and Clawson added a TD run of his own.
Michael Lechnir had nine tackles, a quarterback sack and a fumble recovery to lead the defense. AJ Dee had eight stops and one sack, and Aiden Knea added seven tackles. Iowa Falls-Alden was limited to just 3 yards rushing.
Redhawks continue to roll by besting Bearcats
TRAER — The North Tama football team won its fourth straight game with Friday’s 28-6 victory over North Butler in Class A District 3 play. The Redhawks broke open a close game by outscoring the Bearcats (3-3, 1-3) 20-0 over the final three quarters.
North Tama (4-2, 4-1) was led by quarterback Kolt Knaack’s 270 passing yards. He was 16-for-27 with four touchdowns and two interceptions, connecting with Josh Dostal nine times for 154 yards and two TDs. Kayler Morris had three grabs for 51 yards and a touchdown, and Gavin Rausch hauled in a 47-yard TD strike.
Knaack and Morris both had interceptions and Rausch recovered a fumble for the defense, which bent but didn’t break. North Butler rushed for 183 yards but couldn’t find paydirt, as the Bearcats’ only score was a 45-yard interception return by Stroker Koop.
Rausch had 11.5 tackles to lead the defense, with Knaack adding eight stops. Chaz Hall and Clayton Williams had 7.5 tackles each.
BCLUW football claims first win on the road
MARTENSDALE — The BCLUW football team notched its first win of the season, stomping Martensdale-St. Marys 59-28 on Friday night.
Wyatt Gould rushed 18 times for 224 yards and three touchdowns, and Emmitt Petermeier added 16 carries for 152 yards and three scores to lead BCLUW (1-5) to its first win. Owen Myers needed just three carries to accumulate 101 yards and another score. The Comets rushed 53 times for 537 yards and all nine touchdowns against the host Blue Devils (0-6).
Maverick Grafke led the BCLUW defense with two interceptions, a fumble recovery and 4.5 tackles. Petermeier had 7.5 tackles.
East Marshall can’t catch Hudson from behind
HUDSON — Hudson raced out to a 21-0 halftime lead and held off East Marshall 21-7 for a Class 1A District 4 football win on Friday night.
East Marshall (3-3, 0-3) got its lone touchdown on a 3-yard plunge by quarterback Jake Farrington, who finished 9-for-18 for 96 yards and an interception. Drew Wheater led the backs with 14 carries for 66 yards. Eli Burns made four catches for 56 yards and helped the defense with an interception.
Cody Weaver led the Mustangs with 9.5 tackles while Farrington and Wyatt Stalzer had 6.5 stops apiece.
Hudson (5-1, 2-1) got 384 yards of total offense, with quarterback Kiean Crile throwing for 181 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 156 yards.