Brincks Exteriors Sports Report: Kuemper Looks Good But Falls Short of District Crown

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Underwood At Kuemper

Underwood 28

Kuemper 20

 

Kuemper came out with plenty of energy and physicality, showing everyone they will be a team to be reckoned with come post season but they fell short of their goal of a district title as Underwood rallies in the 2nd half for the win. The Knights dominated the game up front on both sides of the ball in the 1st half. Able to score a pair of touchdowns, building a 14-7 halftime lead. They led 17-14 late in the 3rd quarter but a couple costly mistakes and Underwood finding their running game allowed the Eagles to wear down the Knights on their way to a district title. The Knights finished with 260-yards of offense, showing balance with 135-yards passing and 125-yards on the ground. They held Underwood to under 40-yards rushing in the 1st half but the Eagles finished with 168-yards on 39 carries while throwing for 212-yards on 23 attempts.

The Kuemper defense was sharp early, taking away the Eagle run game and getting pressure on Alex Ravlin in the passing game. They forced a three and out, getting their offense good field position at their own 45-yard line. The offense took advantage, marching down the field by pounding Logan Sibenaller right at the the Eagle defense. Once inside the 10-yard line DJ Vonnamhe found Chris Mohr who broke a tackle and scored on an 8-yard pass, putting the Knights ahead 7-0 with 7:36 left in the opening quarter. After both teams were forced to punt the Eagles would hit their first of three big pass plays. Alex Ravlin hit Josh Ravlin for a 80-yard touchdown, striking over the top of the Knights defense. The 2nd down and 10 pass tied the game at 7 late in the 1st quarter. Both defenses settled in after that forcing three straight punts with Kuemper punting after 7 and 3-play drives and the Eagles doing three and out for the third time in their first four possessions. The Eagles had the ball deep in their own territory. The Kuemper defense came up with a play as DJ Vonnamhe picked off a pass, setting the offense up at the Eagle 28. Kuemper moved the ball, but faced a 3rd down from the 13-yard line. DJ Vonnahme found Chris Mohr cutting through the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown and the Knights led 14-7 with 6:52 left in the half. It stayed that way into the 2nd half. Underwood was moving the ball, on a 14-play drive late in the 1st half but a penalty backed them up and they didn’t score before the half.

The Knights went three and out to start the 2nd half and Underwood got good field position at their own 48. They established the run game for the first time in the game, getting Maddox Nelson going and he scored on the 7th play of the drive, taking it in from the 6-yard line to tie the game at 14 with 8:14 left in the 3rd quarter. The Eagles turned the ball over on their next drive, fumbling at their own 35-yard line. Kuemper took the lead on a 34-yard field goal by Tommy Fitzsimmons. That would be their final lead as Underwood struck on 35-yard pass from Alex Ravlin to Josh Ravlin with 2:21 left in the 3rd quarter. The Eagles almost gave it back to Kuemper, having a bad snap on a punt deep in their own territory and Koby Lampman picking off a desperate pass attempt. The Knights had the ball at the Underwood 30-yard line. They didn’t capitalize, turning the ball over on downs at the Eagle 28. The Eagles marched the ball down the field, scoring on a 27-yard pass from Alex Ravlin to Mason Boothby on the tenth play of the drive. That lead was 28-17 with just over 5:00 remaining. Kuemper had a chance, moving the ball downfield on a 12-play drive, but it faltered and Tommy Fitzsimmons booted his second field goal of the game from 29-yard line, making it 28-20 with under 2:00 left. The Knights took the points, setting themselves up for an onside kick. Underwood recovered and were able to run out the clock.

DJ Vonnahme was 15-35 passing for 135-yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Knights also dropped what could have been a pair of touchdown passes. He carried the ball for 50-yards on 8 carries. Logan Sibenaller ran the ball 9 times for 40-yards and Taye Vonnahme had 9 carries for 35-yards. Chris Mohr had a team high 5 catches for 60-yards and 2 touchdowns. Trevor Rial had 3 catches for 28-yards. Chris Mohr and Max Pietig each had 7 tackles and Will Healy had 6.5 tackles.  Jake Irlbeck recovered a fumble and Koby Lampman and DJ Vonnahme both had interceptions. Tommy Fitzsimmons kicked 34 and 29-yard field goals.

The Knights finish the regular season 7-1 overall and 4-1 in districts. They host Emmetsburg (4-4) at Buena Vista on Friday.

Box Score

Teams             1     2     3    4    Final

Underwood      7     0     14    7       28

Kuemper          7      7      3     3       20

 

 

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