By: Nathan Bloechl — [email protected]
Humboldt, Iowa — A gutsy effort.
A hot night.
And two very talented teams.
After a spirited battle last year, Humboldt and Spencer once again played a classic, Friday night, with Spencer winning this year’s meeting, 24-12.
With the loss, Humboldt falls to 1-3 on the season and next has a homecoming date with Boone this Friday
Senior quarterback Joey Busse was in a rhythm from the first salvo, completing 10-of-16 passes for 97 yards and one touchdown. He and junior Jamison Heinz took turns at the helm, with Heinz completing 4-of-6 passes for 43 yards.
The story of the game was the play of Spencer wide receiver Michael Storey, who was virtually everywhere for the Tigers, hauling in three catches for 107 yards and one score. He also made several acrobatic plays on defense and set the Tigers up with great field position multiple times off kick-off returns.
Storey’s first score gave the Tigers a 10-0 lead with under a minute to play in the first quarter.
Junior quarterback Gage Garnatz lofted a spiraling ball down the east sideline that fell right into the lap of Storey, who took it the rest of the way, 41 yards to pay-dirt.
Humboldt would answer quickly in the second quarter however, converting a pair of fourth downs to claw within 10-6.
First Busse would dance out of danger and use his legs to pick up a fourth-and-4 in a dazzling play; then just thee plays later Busse found Heinz who was on the receiving end of a 16-yard score.
A bad snap forced place-kicker Lucas Volf to scramble and a heave a two-point attempt to Gabe Gidel that fell just incomplete.
Later in the quarter, following a Busse interception of Spencer quarterback Gage Garnatz, the Wildcats were able to march down and kick a 42-yard field goal as time expired in half one.
According to the record books, the 42-yarder by Lucas Volf is a new school record.
After the break, Humboldt and Spencer exchanged field goals, bringing the scoreline to 17-12.
Once again, it was Storey who set the Tigers up for the dagger.
Following Humboldt’s second field goal, Storey returned the ensuing kick-off to Humboldt’s 34-yard line. Spencer then converted a fourth-and-1 from the two yard line to salt things away 24-12.
The Wildcats moved the ball well in desperation mode but couldn’t get one last score to make things even more interesting.
Humboldt will open district play at home versus Boone this Friday, kick is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
NOTABLES:
Passing
Busse 10-16-97-1-0
Heinz 4-6-43-0-0
Rushing
Tyler Vitzhum 21-72-3.4
Heinz 3-33-11.0
Lucas Volf 5-17-3.4
Receiving
Heinz 5-42-8.4-1
Matt Miller 1-20-20.0
Vitzhum 4-37-9.3
Volf 4-41-10.3