RUN IT BACK: Wildcats go Back-to-Back as 3A-2 District Champs after 31-8 win in Algona

Photo Courtesy of Rick Thompson

By: Matt Scher, [email protected]

Algona, IA – The Humboldt Wildcats won their final regular season matchup in Algona against the Bulldogs Friday night by the score of 31-8 to finish at 8-1 (4-1, 3A-2) heading into the postseason.

The Cats started things off in the first quarter on the first offensive drive of the game for Humboldt with an 18-yard rushing touchdown by Lance Coon (Fr.) to give the Cats a 7-0 lead at the 9:14 mark in the first quarter. Five minutes later, Coon would get the ball again, this time finding the end zone from 11 yards out to increase the Humboldt lead to 14. With six seconds remaining in the first quarter, Bulldog running back Lamorn Ulfers (Sr.) countered Humboldt’s score with a 6-yard rushing touchdown, and Algona would elect to go for two, successfully converting on an Alex Manske (So.) pass to Devin Larsen (So.) to cut the Humboldt lead to six points at 14-8.

The second quarter saw the Wildcats begin to break away from the Bulldogs with Coon finding the end zone for his third rushing touchdown of the game, as he dashed his way 49 yards to give the Cats a 21-8 lead with 7:47 remaining in the first half. With 1:57 left in the second quarter, Coon would find the end zone from 5 yards out for his fourth rushing touchdown of the first half with Cats leading by 20 at the half.

The third stanza of play saw the final score between either team, with Trever Beach (Sr.) lining up for a 40-yard field goal and driving it through for three more points, to give the Cats a 31-8 lead and the eventual victory.

Leading the Cats offensively was Coon, who registered 26 carries for 206 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. Defensively, Tayeton Lohaus (Sr.) registered three sacks and a forced fumble in the first half alone to help the Cats keep the dynamic Bulldog offense at bay.

With the win, the Cats are in a three-way tie for first in the district after North Polk beat Nevada and by virtue of being the highest RPI ranked team of the group at the No. 3 spot in the poll after Friday’s games, the Cats by the tie-breaking rules take home the Class 3A-2 crown.

Postseason matchups will be released tomorrow.