Kriegel scores 5 times in Tiger loss

GLADBROOK — The Iowa Valley football team’s season came to a close Friday night in a 57-32 loss to Gladbrook-Reinbeck in the second round of the 8-player playoffs.

The Rebels were led by the efforts of Drew Eilers who totaled seven touchdowns on the night — five on the ground, one passing and one interception returned for a touchdown.

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Eilers started the game with a 29-yard score in the opening drive to give the Rebels a lead they never lost.

The Tigers responded with a 36-yard touchdown run from Nolan Kriegel, who was responsible for all the Tigers’ scoring on the evening.

The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, and that played a key role in the game, as the Rebels kicked extra points.

The Rebels’ speedy receivers on the outside made a few big plays, the first coming from Treyvon Herron. The long run after a catch from Herron set up an Eilers one-yard touchdown run.

The biggest momentum changer in the game came on the next possession.

Eilers jumped a pass route that appeared open and returned the interception 20 yards for six points, giving the Rebels a 21-6 lead.

“I got to give that guy (Eilers) credit,” Iowa Valley head coach Casey Krull said. “I thought we had a good play designed, and he somehow popped out of nowhere and made the play.”

On the next possession, Hudson Clark intercepted a pass. Two plays later, he caught a pass on the outside, broke a tackle and scored from 41 yards out.

The Tigers added one more score before half on a nine-yard pass from Layne Peska to Kriegel to make the score 28-12 after the failed conversion.

Coming out of halftime, the Tigers battled to make the score closer.

“Our guys never quit and kept battling,” Krull said. “I’m really proud of them for that.”

After a defensive stop, Eilers scored on a 39-yard run up the middle to increase the lead to 36-12.

Kriegel’s determined attitude while running the ball helped the Tigers score 12 unanswered points on five-yard and 26-yard touchdown runs.

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On the kickoff, the Rebels’ Clark used his speed to flip the field and score six on a 60-yard return.

Kriegel responded with another rushing touchdown and the lone successful conversion of the night to cut the score to 11 heading into the fourth.

The Rebels’ defense prevented the Tigers from scoring again in the fourth, but Eilers added three-yard and two-yard touchdown runs on offense for a final of 57-32.

“Gladbrook is a solid team, and they don’t make mistakes,” Krull said on the Rebels.

The Tigers conclude their season at 8-2, making it to the round-of-16 for the second straight season.

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“Our six seniors gave us everything they had and then some,” Krull said. “It’s a bittersweet feeling now. You never want to see something end, but there’s a lot for these guys to be proud of.”

SCORING SUMMARY

Iowa Valley 6 6 20 0 — 32

Gladbrook-Reinbeck 14 14 15 14 — 57

GR — Drew Eilers 29 run (Brayden Utter kick)

IV — Nolan Kriegel 36 run (conversion no good)

GR — Eiler 1 run (Utter kick)

GR — Eilers 20 yard interception return (Utter kick)

GR — Hudson Clark 41 pass from Eilers (Utter kick)

IV— Kriegel 9 pass from Layne Peska (conversion no good)

GR — Eilers 39 run (Eilers pass to Clark)

IV— Kriegel 5 run (conversion no good)

IV— Kriegel 26 run (conversion no good)

GR — Clark 60 kickoff return (Utter kick)

IV— Kriegel 11 run (Kriegel pass to Layne Peska)

GR — Eilers 3 run (Utter kick)

GR — Eilers 2 run (Utter kick)