Iowa Valley saves win in final seconds

It was a game that literally came down to the final play.

BGM had just scored a touchdown with nine seconds left to pull within one point of Iowa Valley, 78-77.

Go for two points and the win, or kick the extra point to force overtime?

Bears’ coach Jerod Burns elected to go for the win, and his gamble failed.

“What a game,” said Iowa Valley Coach Casey Krull. “We had a lot of guys step up when we needed to.”

Iowa Valley improved its record to 7-2 and will face Clarksville (10-0) in the second round of state playoffs Friday at Clarksville.

BGM, losing to Iowa Valley the second time this season, finished the year 5-4.

As much offense as that was generated — 698 total yards by BGM and 595 by Iowa Valley — it was an interception by senior Dawson Smith with four minutes left in the game that was one of the night’s biggest plays.

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It gave the Tigers the ball near midfield and coach Krull inserted freshman Layne Hardy into the game to play quarterback. Hardy promptly hooked up with another freshman, Nolan Kriegel, for a 35-yard touchdown pass and Smith added the two-point conversion to put IV ahead, 78-71.

The rest is history.

Kriegel was sensational for the Tigers, rushing 36 times for 323 yards and five touchdowns, completing 8-of-10 passes for 106 yards and two more scores, and catching what proved to be the game winning touchdown.

Smith had 12 carries for 80 yards and three TDs, Clay Haack caught five passes for 85 yards and a TD, and Colton Hudepohl had a 10-yard TD reception,

The game went back and forth with Iowa Valley holding the largest lead, 36-27, with two minutes left in the first half. By halftime BGM ahead, 44-42.