By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – A top five Radio Iowa poll Class 3A matchup Friday night at Mason Maach Field between No. 3 Humboldt and No.4 Clear Lake ended with the Lions winning 23-7 after outscoring the Wildcats 17-0 in the second half.
The Lions would strike first on a 76-yard drive that was capped off on a five-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Jaxson McIntire to Senior Wide Receiver Kolby Hodnefield with 5:45 to go in the first quarter. A missed extra point by kicker Christian Dunning left the Clear Lake lead at six.
Humboldt would force the first takeaway of the game with 9:47 to go in the second stanza with an interception by senior defensive back Zane McIntire. The drive would start in Clear Lake territory with Humboldt finding the end zone on a three-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Jaxson Flaherty to senior wide receiver Chase Flaherty. Senior kicker Karson Rubel made the point after attempt to give Humboldt the 7-6 lead with 7:10 remaining until halftime.
Clear Lake would retake the lead on a 25-yard field goal by Dunning to put the score at 9-7 Lions with 2:06 remaining in the third quarter. The Lions would score on their next drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown by McIntire to take a 16-7 lead with 9:41 left in the fourth.
After Humboldt fumbled the ball inside their own five-yard line, Clear Lake took over at the three-yard line and the short drive was capped off by McIntire with a one-yard rushing touchdown to increase the lead to 23-7 with 8:32 to go in the game.
Humboldt quarterback Jackson Flaherty was 13/23 passing for 100 yards along with one touchdown and an interception. Senior linebacker Cael Donahe led Humboldt in tackles for the second consecutive week with nine, and Griffin Groat recorded the lone sack on defense.
For Clear Lake, quarterback Jackson McIntire was 11/15 passing for 115 yards and one touchdown and an interception. McIntire also ran for 88 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns. Kolby Hodnefield caught seven passes for 41 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 39 yards on three carries. Max Larson had a team-leading two sacks, while Raif Baack led the defense with eleven tackles.
Humboldt Head football coach Derrick Elman on the week two loss.
With the loss, Humboldt falls to 1-1 overall and head to the Carroll Tigers on Friday in non-district play.
Clear Lake improved to 2-0 overall with the win, snapping a three game skid against Humboldt and was the first win for the Lions over the Wildcats since September 27, 2013. Clear Lake hosts Webster City in non-district play Friday.