No. 1 Tigers fall at Iowa Valley

New London and Iowa Valley were locked in a defensive battle on Saturday evening after getting their marquee game postponed due to lightening the night before. Unfortunately for Tiger fans, Saturday belonged to Iowa Valley, who knocked off New London 22-12 in the battle of unbeaten teams.

Iowa Valley went up 6-0 in the first quarter on a 39-yard touchdown run by quarterback Ben Smith. The two-point conversion failed but New London trailed by one score going into the second period.

The Tigers tied the game in the second quarter when quarterback Isaac McSorley found running back Keontae Luckett on a 35-yard passing touchdown, but the Tigers also failed to conver for two, and it was 6-6.

Iowa Valley scored a dagger of a touchdown in the final minute of the second period. Smith found running back Noah Mumby on touchdown pass. The two-point attempt was good, and New London went into the locker rooms trailing 14-6.

Mumby caught another touchdown pass in the second quarter and New London found themselves in unfamiliar territory. The Tigers trailed 22-6 in the third quarter when they hadn't been at a second half decifit all year.

The Tigers did score again on an 18-yard touchdown catch by Mason Porter, but the two-point try failed and the Iowa Valley lead remained at two possessions, 22-12.

The Iowa Valley offense was able to run for first downs on offense as the time ticked away on New London and put their district championship hopes in serious jeopardy.

McSorley finished 4-6 for 75 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the loss. He also ran for 23 yards.

Keontae Luckett had 54 yards on the ground and 35 yards through the air, scoring on his only reception of hte game. Porter caught two passes for 28 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Johnson had 41 total yards of offense.

Darius Whaley had 12.5 tackles to lead the Tigers. He, Luckett and McSorley all had an interception in the loss. McSorley returned his 30 yards the other way.

New London is now tied for second in the loss column with H-L-V. They'll need H-L-V to beat Iowa Valley at the end of the year to force a three-way tie for the district title, otherwise it's most likely second place even if the Tigers win out.