Comets start slow in 36-3 loss to Wapello

ELDON ? For three quarters Friday, Cardinal looked like a football team capable of playing with anybody in Class 1A District 6.

But a game is decided by four quarters of play, and a slow start in the first period put the Comets in a 22-0 hole in Eldon. The Comets allowed just two more touchdowns the rest of the way but lost to Wapello 36-3.

?Once we got past the first quarter we played well, but we have to find a way to come out quick at the start,? said Cardinal head coach Adam Hadenfelt. ?We continue to dig ourselves in holes.?

Missed opportunities were the name of the game Friday. The Comets had a touchdown called back in the first quarter that would have cut Wapello?s lead to 14-7. They also fumbled next to the end zone and later had a turnover on downs after driving into their own red zone.

?We?d like to think we played closer than the score would indicate,? Hadenfelt said.

The Comets scored their lone points at the beginning of the fourth quarter when senior Jonathan Pedersen nailed a field goal from 41 yards out.

Pedersen also had his best rushing game since Week 2 and gained 83 yards on just 10 carries. Quarterback Dakota Showman completed 5-of-15 passes for 82 yards ? all caught by Neil Urtado.

Defensively, Nathan Yeager tallied 16 tackles, a sack assist and three tackles for loss. Pedersen and Urtado totaled eight tackles apiece while Brandon Eklofe and Josh Ramos made five each. Tyler Albert recovered a fumble.

Another tough game awaits the Comets (3-4, 0-4 District 6) when they visit Sigourney-Keota on Friday.