I-EC Tigers travel to Freeman for playoff game

Ipswich-Edmunds Central traveled to Freeman last Thursday for a 9A football playoff opportunity against Canistota-Freeman. But the hosts flexed their muscles and lived up to their nickname, showing their Pride for a 58-6 win.

That all started with an interception at their own 8-yard line after I-EC had manufactured an impressive opening drive. The hosts then drove nearly the length of the field, culminated by a touchdown pass on a third and 14 conversion with 5:30 left in the opening quarter. They tacked on a pair of conversion points for an 8-0 lead and that would ultimately prove to be enough.

That co-op just into its second year then showed its defensive pride with a goal-line stop at their own three.

That wasn't all bad, though, because I-EC forced a punt with its own defense and a very short punt gave I-EC possession at the Pride 21. Playing on an injured ankle, senior quarterback Ben Kulesa hooked up with another senior Daniel Braun for a 12-yard touchdown pass with just :51 left in the initial quarter. But the PAT play failed.

The hosts then gradually lengthened their advantage the rest of the game. They tacked on 28 second-quarter points for a 36-6 halftime lead and added a pair of third-quarter touchdowns, both capped by successful two-point conversions. Their final-quarter touchdown ended the game.

Ipswich-Edmunds Central finished with only a handful of rushing yards, as the Pride defense was that dominant. The Tigers managed 19 yards on the ground on nine carries, led by Kulesa with 18 yards and yet another senior Riley Nehlich netted one more yard. Through the air the Tigers fared somewhat better, though, with Kulesa's 13-32-2 160-yard evening, including that lone TD strike. His longest completion went for 35 yards, that also to Braun, who caught a total of five passes. And another senior Jacob Nierman was next with two receptions totaling 23 yards.

Defensively, the Tiger team had 48 tackles, paced by Braun and yet another senior Reece Moehlenbrink with nine apiece. Matthew Hettich and Josh McQuarie were next with five tackles each.

The hosts improved to 8-1 with their win and are still alive in the 9A playoffs with round two coming up on October 25. Ipswich-Edmunds Central closed out its 2018 campaign at 3-6.

The other Tiger seniors not previously mentioned were Thomas Goetz, Trevin Maurer, Sheldon Neitzel, Kyle Larson and Jared Bjordal. The 10 seniors will be missed.