In one of the wildest games Class 2A will see this season, West Liberty and Northeast played an instant classic.
For the Comets, it’s one they hope to forget.
After an incredible comeback effort, which saw the Comets score 13 fourth quarter points after surrendering 22 in the third quarter, the Northeast Rebels escaped with a 35-34 victory after blocking an extra point with 64 seconds remaining.
West Liberty, at one point leading 14-0, eventually fell behind 35-21 at the end of the third quarter.
The Comets scratched and clawed their way back into the contest. On the back of star quarterback senior Ryker Dengler, the Comets made their push.
With four minutes and five seconds left in the game, Dengler threw his only touchdown pass of the game to junior Owen Daufeldt. This 25-yard score got the Comets to within one possession.
On the first play of the ensuing Northeast possession, the Rebels put the ball on the ground. Junior Axell Polanco recovered the loose football and put the Comets back in business.
With possession of the ball, West Liberty got down to Northeast’s half yard line. Dengler took it in himself for his third rushing touchdown of the game.
64 ticks were left in the game and junior kicker Uriel Andrade came out for the point after attempt. The snap was good, the hold was good, but the kick was blocked.
Down by one, the Comets now resorted to an onside kick attempt. It was unsuccessful, and the Rebels kneeled out the clock to escape with a victory.
Dengler passed for 185 in this game on 15 completions, 20 attempts with one touchdown. He also rushed 17 times for 58 yards and three touchdowns.
Sophomore Briggs Collins led the Comets in rushing with 17 carries for 105 yards.
Senior Seth Axsom scored a rushing touchdown and also caught eight passes for 83 yards. Junior Owen Daufeldt matched his 83 yards but did so on four receptions.
Despite the loss, West Liberty is still well alive for a playoff berth. They still control their destiny for district runners-up with a home game this Friday against Monticello and a road contest against Camanche.
Monticello won its first game of the season last week against Camanche in 35-7 fashion. The Panthers are having a down season just one year removed from making the state semifinals.
No longer quarterbacking is Preston Ries, the Class 2A Player of the Year, who is now trying to make a name for himself on the Iowa Hawkeyes’ football field.
The game is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff. This Friday is senior night as well as military appreciation night at the West Liberty Athletic Complex.
Season statistical summary
Passing yards
Ryker Dengler, 1157.
Rushing yards
Ryker Dengler, 357; Briggs Collins, 197; Owen Daufeldt, 88; Seth Axsom, 74; Axell Polanco, 34; Gable Underbakke, 13.
Receiving yards
Seth Axsom, 494; Owen Daufeldt, 318; Tully Griffith, 144; Braden Bickford, 61; Cole Wagamon, 61; Briggs Collins, 58; Axell Polanco, 9; Landon Wainwright, 6; Cameron Iske, 6.
Total tackles
Tytan Griffith, 25.5; Cameron Iske, 24.0; Ryker Dengler, 22.0; Perry Lehman, 19.0; Caden Laughlin, 19.0; Crager David, 19.0; Bryson Garcia, 18.5; Owen Daufeldt, 15.5; Tully Griffith, 15.5; Seth Axsom, 15.0; Kaden Wiele, 11.0; Briggs Collins, 10.5; Jamison Rud, 3.0; Ryan Laughlin, 3.0; Landon Wainwright, 2.5; Gable Underbakke, 2.5; Enrique Michel, 2.0; Axell Polanco, 2.0; Braden Bickford, 2.0; Cole Wagamon, 2.0; Johanan Lopez Vileta, 2.0; Miles McConnaha, 1.0.