WACO picks off Iowa Valley

WAYLAND - It was third-and-goal from the eight-yard line with three minutes left and the game tied 44-44. Iowa Valley quarterback Ben Smith, whilst being pressured by two WACO pass-rushers, threw the ball towards the end zone on his way down to the ground.

But the pass thrown by the Iowa Valley star didn't find a Tiger teamamte. Instead, it stuck to the hands of WACO defensive lineman Tim Willits, who returned it all the way back to the Iowa Valley nine-yard line to set up the game-winning score, aiding the Warriors to a 51-44 victory on Monday night.

'I saw two guys coming up and stopping him. I know someone is going to hit his hand,” Willits said. 'I kind of stayed at home, bobbled the ball, and I ran for that end zone like no tomorrow.”

When Willits got up from the turf, the WACO sidleine was mid-celebration as momentum had completely flipped in favor of the home team.

'I saw everyone running at me and I was so scared,” Willits said. 'I don't think I've ever been hit in the head more in 30 seconds in my life.”

Two plays after the interception, Nik Coble connected with Robert Frazer to give the Warriors the lead for good.

Drew Kissell, who was pulling Smith down on the game-flipping interception, picked off a pass on the sideline on the ensuing possession to seal the victory.

Iowa Valley had stormed back from 18 down in the first half and 15 down in the second to take a 44-37 advantage in the fourth quarter. On a drive that included a fourth-and-three conversion from Will Edeker on a fake punt, Coble found Frazer from four-yards out. Simeon Reichenbach's PAT made it 44-44.

The Warriors scored the first 17 points of the game. The Tigers led 31-22 at halftime and 37-36 after three quarters.

Coble threw four touchdown passes, three to Frazer and one to Jaden Williams. He also ran in for three.

WACO won the turnover battle 4-1. Coble picked off a pass in the first quarter and fell on a fumble in the third. Willitz and Kissell ended the final two Iowa Valleyd drives with interceptions.

The win snapped a three-game WACO losing streak. The Warriors lost games by seven, six and five points respectively after their 10-point win in the season opener.

'It's huge,” head coach Chad Edeker said. 'After so many close games, we finally got one to turn our way and get the win.”

WACO moved to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in district play. They'll host Hartwick-Ladora-Victor on Friday.