Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Iowa Valley dominates in second round
One win away from UNI Dome, IV will face Audubon Thursday
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MARENGO — The Iowa Valley football team’s season ended in the same way the past two seasons — a loss in the 8-player second-round (round of 16).
The Tigers used that as fuel heading into their round of 16 matchup Friday night against Janesville, and they dominated from start to finish in a 63-0 shutout victory.
“It feels good to finally get past the second round,” junior Nolan Kriegel said. “I know as a team coming into this week we didn’t want it to end again after the second round. We had a chip on our shoulder coming in.”
The tone was set from the very first snap for No. 4 Iowa Valley.
Janesville received the opening kickoff, ran two plays for no game and a third for a three-yard loss as Mason Hoyt tackled quarterback Blayne Porter in the backfield.
A quick punt and a good return later and the Tigers were already at the Janesville 20. Kriegel took the following play for a 20-yard touchdown on the ground.
The defensive effort did not stop for the Tigers.
Janesville’s first three possessions produced minus-14 total yards of offense.
“We just stayed physical and did everything we can to keep doing our job and get the win,” Mason Hoyt said on the team’s defensive effort.
Iowa Valley turned those three stops into 21 points, scoring on three of their first four offensive snaps of the game.
Kriegel added another score on the ground from 23 yards out. That was followed by a 44-yard TD run from Dane Smith.
After another Kriegel score, this time from 57 yards, the score was 28-0 after only one quarter of play.
Janesville’s best drive came in the second quarter when the team moved into Iowa Valley territory after a few first downs. The drive ended on downs.
Then Layne Peska got in on the action and scored on a 51-yard passing TD. Peska grabbed an interception on the following defensive possession.
The Tigers led 42-0 at half and cruised to victory, adding three more scores in the second half, from three different players.
“Everything was working for us,” Kriegel said. “We’re physical, so we just kept punching them in the mouth, and obviously that showed.”
It showed on both sides of the ball for the Tigers. Janesville mustered only 51 yards of offense in the entire first half.
The Tigers totaled 12 1/2 tackles for loss to go along with two interceptions.
Kriegel led the rushing attack with 161 yards and four scores. Smith had 100 yards on just five carries as the Tigers totaled 345 rushing yards as a team.
Now the Tigers set their sights on the quarterfinals, playing for a chance to go to the UNI Dome, something they haven’t done since 2002 in Class A.
“We’re going to have to play hard, fast, physical and do everything we can to win,” Mason Hoyt said.
Iowa Valley (10-0) will host No. 5 Audubon (10-0) Thursday night. The Wheelers also have a prolific running game, averaging 9.4 yards per carry this season.
Audubon defeated Montezuma 82-0 in the round-of-16.
Iowa Valley 63, Janesville 0
Scoring
Janesville.........0 0 0 0—0
Iowa Valley … 28 14 13 8—63
IV— Kriegel 20 run (Mason Hoyt kick)
IV— Kriegel 23 run (missed PAT)
IV— Smith 44 run (Kriegel run)
IV— Kriegel 57 run (Mason Hoyt kick)
IV — Peska 51 pass from Kriegel (Mason Hoyt kick)
IV— Kriegel 9 run (Mason Hoyt kick)
IV— Chance Hoyt 4 run (Mason Hoyt kick)
IV— Smith 10 run (missed PAT)
IV— Manny Pritchard 68 run (Garrett Penning run)
Iowa Valley Individual Statistics
Rushing — Kriegel 8-161, Smith 5-100, Pritchard 1-68, Hoyt 3-16
Passing — Kriegel 2-2-1-51
Receiving — Peska 2-51
Defense (leading tackler)— Pritchard 7 (1 1/2 for loss)
