Jamison Niehouse

WATERLOO — A pair of early turnovers paved the way for Waterloo West to get a headstart on a 45-13 victory over the Marshalltown football team on Friday night at Memorial Stadium.

The host Wahawks (5-3) got on the scoreboard first with a scoop-and-score, turning a Bobcat fumble into six points, and Waterloo West never trailed.

Marshalltown’s defense stopped the Wahawks on downs on the first possession, but the Bobcats (3-5) couldn’t overcome the deficit once they fell behind. Waterloo West added a field goal before scoring touchdowns on five of its next six possessions.

West running back Felix Annan carried 19 times for 184 yards and two touchdowns and the Wahawks piled up 424 yards of total offense. Quarterback Brett McGovern was 9-for-11 for 191 yards and a 25-yard touchdown strike to Deztin McMurrin.

Marshalltown got on the board twice in the second half, starting with a 4-yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Jamison Niehouse. Niehouse hooked up with Drake Gersema for a 38-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter as well.

Junior running back Gaston Feras led the shorthanded Bobcats with 53 yards rushing on 14 carries. Niehouse had 49 yards on 15 attempts, John Schoenfelder added 17 yards, and sophomore Drewmex Aichy got 23 yards during the fourth quarter.

The Bobcats bring a four-game losing streak into next week’s Week 9 finale at home against third-ranked Dowling Catholic (7-1).