By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – In a game that was tied at seven at the halfway point of the game, the Humboldt Wildcats football team outscored Spencer 28-6 in the second half to win their home opener 35-13 over the Spencer Tigers Friday night from Mason Maach Field.
Humboldt would take the 7-0 lead with 10:40 left in the second quarter on a 66-yard touchdown pass from Jackson Flaherty to his twin brother Chase Flaherty on a 3rd Down and 14 play from the Humboldt 34-yard line. The next drive, Spencer would tie the game at seven with 5:37 left in the first half after an 80-yard drive that was capped off by a two-yard rushing touchdown by Kam Young.
Humboldt would retake the lead for good in the second half on a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Cash McIntire with 8:35 remaining in the third quarter to go up 14-7. The Cats would add another score after linebacker Cael Donahe forced a fumble while tackling Spencer running back Josh Becker on a fourth down and one play. Humboldt’s Nash Palmer scooped up the loose ball and returned it 42 yards with 5:28 to go in the third quarter to give Humboldt the 21-7 lead.
Spencer would cut the deficit to eight points with a 3-yard rushing touchdown by Kam Young as time expired in the third quarter, and a missed extra point by Jase McCormick left Humboldt in front 21-13.
In the fourth quarter, Humboldt would add two more scores, a 58-yard rushing touchdown by Cash McIntire with 11:17 seconds remaining in regulation. The final score for the Wildcats came with 4:40 remaining in the game with McIntire on a one-yard rushing touchdown.
Humboldt quarterback Jackson Flaherty was 4/6 for 112 yards passing with one touchdown and one interception. Flaherty also had 11 carries for 67 yards on the ground. Cash McIntire was the Wildcats’ leading rusher with 12 carries for 100 yards and three rushing touchdowns. Chase Flaherty led the Cats with two catches for 93 yards in the receiving game. On the defensive side of the ball, Cael Donahe was Humboldt’s leading tackler with 10.5 tackles and one tackle for loss. Donahe and Griffin Groat each had a forced fumble. As a team, Humboldt forced four Spencer turnovers in the game with three fumbles and a Chase Flaherty interception.
Spencer quarterback Dylan Timmer went 8/14 for 91 yards passing with one interception. Kam Young was the leading rusher for either team with 14 carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Foster Roos led all Tigers receivers with three catches for 30 yards.
Humboldt Head Football Coach Derrick Elman on the week one victory for Humboldt.
Humboldt improves to 1-0 overall and will face Clear Lake on Friday, September 5 for week two of non-district play from Mason Maach Field. Clear Lake won their season-opener 69-0 against Forest City.
Kickoff between the Lions and Wildcats is set for 7:00 p.m.