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Washington Evening Journal
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WACO season ends at Don Bosco
No. 3 Dons pull away in 2nd half to knock off Warriors
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
GILBERTVILLE — The WACO football team brought the fight to the third-ranked Don Bosco Dons in Friday night’s Class 8-Player Round of 16 playoff game, but as the game went on, it was the hosting Dons who threw the most punches.
After a competitive, but disappointing first half, the Warriors’ upset bid faded off, and Don Bosco moved on 48-7.
The Warriors spotted the Dons seven early points as a fumble at the 10-yard line helped Don Bosco move into a 7-0 lead. After surviving a fumble on the second drive, though, the Warriors put together a scoring drive late in the first.
WACO ran the ball at will against the Don Bosco defense on a drive that ended when Louden Huisenga scampered into the end zone untouched on a seven-yard touchdown run. Miles Reichenbach’s kick was good, and it was 7-7 with 4 minutes and 35 seconds left in the quarter.
On the next Don Bosco possession, the Warriors had Don Bosco quarterback Kyler Knaack dead to rights on a third-and-long, but Knaack made a falling throw out of bounds from midfield down to the five-yard line. That set up a touchdown run for Knaack, which helped put the Dons up 14-7 after the first.
WACO had a shot to tie the game early in the second quarter, having the ball fourth and goal from the 3-yard line. The Warriors opted for the pass, and Clayton Miller nearly hit Huisenga in the back of the end zone, but the officials ruled Huisenga out, and Don Bosco took over.
“I thought our first quarter was really, really good,” said WACO head coach Chad Edeker. “I think the tide turned, and I'll take the blame on this, (when) we took a shot to the end zone. I liked our matchup.”
Don Bosco was backed up against its own end zone to start the next drive, but the Dons were able to move the ball downfield. Once again facing third down, Don Bosco hit a screen pass for a 25-yard touchdown, and the Dons led 21-7 at halftime.
WACO kicked off to start the third quarter, and Don Bosco threw the biggest punch of the night, marching downfield to score once again. The Dons went up 28-7 and never looked back.
“It stings right now, but this was a really good year,” Edeker said. “The second round of playoffs are nothing to scoff at. We fought really hard to get where we were.”
Miller completed six passes for 68 yards and one interception in the loss. Huisenga rushed for 38 yards and a touchdown, while also catching four passes for 40 yards.
Trey Edeker rushed for 32 yards. Isaac Rich caught two passes for 28 yards. Defensively, Joel Meyer led the team with nine tackles.
WACO ended the season 8-2. It was the last game for a senior class that finished with a 38-6 overall record.
Don Bosco (10-0) plays No. 7 Gladbrook-Reinbeck (9-1) in Friday’s quarterfinals.
