Ipswich-Edmunds Central got on the scoreboard first, but eventually succumbed to Langford Area 34-14 in a Lake Region Conference "Battle of the Big Cats" high school football game in Langford last Friday.
The Tigers’ two touchdowns were respectively produced by that first-quarter scoring drive, capped by Ben Kulesa’s four-yard strike to Daniel Braun and a two-point conversion hook-up by the same duo and then a short fumble-recovery return to paydirt by Jacob Nierman in the third quarter. That latter TD temporarily lifted Ipswich-EC into a 14-14 tie. (The score had also been tied at 8-8 after a quarter.) But the hosts regrouped for a 20-14 lead later in the third quarter and added a pair of unanswered fourth-quarter scoring drives for insurance purposes.
The Lions got 138 rushing yards and 157 through the air including a pair of touchdown passes. Ipswich-Edmunds Central, meanwhile, accumulated 129 rushing yards, led by Riley Nehlich with a 6-60 night. Next was Kaden Hix with 10 carries for 45 yards. Kulesa also got into double-figures with five carries for 15 yards. The visitors from Edmunds County were also 11-23 through the air for 101 aerial yards, all from Kulesa, including that TD strike. He incurred one interception. Braun was Kulesa’s favorite receiver with five receptions for 77 yards, including his TD catch and his longest grab was 62 yards. Nehlich was next with three catches for 15 yards.
Ipswich-Edmunds Central earned seven first downs and was penalized nine times for 79 yards.
Defensively the Tigers collected 51 tackles including a Carter Heinz sack. Braun was the leading I-EC tackler with 11 and Thomas Goetz and Reese Moehlinbrink were next with six tackles apiece.
The win improved Langford to 2-1 and 1-1 in the LRC, while Ipswich-Edmunds Central fell to 2-1 and 1-1 in league play. The Tigers will return home to host another LRC opponent, Faulkton Area, on Friday in Ipswich. Faulkton is also 2-1 on the year.
Reader Comments(0)