By: Matt Scher, [email protected]
Humboldt, IA – The Humboldt Wildcats Football team won their home opener in week two 21-18 over the Ballard Bombers at Mason Maach Field Friday night.
On their second offensive possession, the Wildcats broke the scoreless tie on a 76-yard touchdown reception from senior quarterback Coen Matson to senior Keegan Groat with 5:51 remaining in the opening quarter. A Karson Rubel made PAT gave Humboldt the 7-0 lead.
The Ballard Bombers struggled to get any offense going in the game after punting on their first four possessions. The team had a golden opportunity when senior Jackson Wacha intercepted a Matson pass to give Ballard the ball inside Humboldt’s 25-yard line. The Bombers would not take advantage of the takeaway as they would turn the ball over on downs at around the halfway point of the second quarter.
With 2:32 remaining in the first half, Matson again would team up with Groat on a slant over the middle for 35-yards to give Humboldt a 14-0 lead after another Rubel made PAT. The Bombers would scratch across three points towards the end of the half with a 33-yard field goal by Sam Hoffman. Humboldt led 14-3 going into the half.
The second half saw Humboldt find the end zone for the final time on the opening drive of the third quarter as Matson connected with Groat for a third touchdown reception, this time 73-yards with 11:10 on the clock. Rubel’s made PAT gave Humboldt the 21-3 lead.
On the ensuing Kickoff, Ballard’s Tucker Vitzthum returned the kick 98 yards to the end zone to cut into the Humboldt lead at 21-10 with 10:54 left in the third quarter. The Bombers were not done as they would find the end zone on a seven yard rushing touchdown by senior quarterback Mason Gatchel, but failed on the two-point conversion to trail Humboldt 21-16 in the fourth.
On the final play of the game, the Wildcats were forced to punt with 9 seconds on the clock and senior cyler cirks instead of punting would retreat toward the goal line to run out the clock and go out of the side of the end zone for a safety, giving Humboldt the 21-18 victory.
With the win, Humboldt is 2-0 and will visit Van Meter next Friday. Kickoff for that game is 7:00 p.m.