Kuemper At Central Lyon/George-Little Rock- Class 2A Quarterfinals
Central Lyon/George-Little Rock 48
Kuemper 27
Both offenses were nearly unstoppable in the first half as Kuemper built and maintained the lead early, up 21-15 at half. The Lions rallied in the 2nd half, scoring 33-points but didn’t take charge of the game until recovering a kick at the Kuemper 16-yard line with 10:30 left in the game, having just taken the lead at 34-27. The Knights offense scored on three of five possessions in the 1st half, nearly adding a fourth, with a field goal after recovering a short kickoff at their own 49-yard line late in the 1st half. The Lions tweaked their defensive look in the 2nd half to try and slow down the Knights quick passing game, holding Kuemper scoreless on four of five possessions in the 2nd half. Central Lyon/George-Little Rock had their running game going all game, finishing with two players with over 200-yards rushing. That helped them take charge of the game in the 2nd half, scoring on five of their seven possessions with their final possession running the final 1:42 off the clock.
Kuemper showed on the opening drive that they were there to play, marching down the field with a nice mix of pass and run, scoring on an 8-play, 55-yard drive when Brock Badding found Jake Hausman for a 22-yard touchdown. The Knights were up 7-0 with 8:14 left in the 1st half. The Lions answered quickly with big runs by Reece Vander Zee and Graham Eben. They went 54-yards in six plays, scoring on a 43-yard run by Vander Zee, tying the game at 7 with 5:08 left in the 1st quarter. Kuemper needed to respond and did. The Knights started their second possession at their own 36-yard line and again used a mix of run and pass to march the ball downfield. The faced a 2nd and goal from the 1-yard line when the 1st quarter ended. It took them 0:01 to score on the first play of the 2nd quarter as Brock Badding took it in on a quarterback sneak. The Knights were up 14-7 with 11:59 left in the half. Both offenses looked unstoppable in the 1st half as the Lions went right down the field, scoring on a 17-run by Graham Eben, ending a 6-play, 65-yard drive. The Knights were called for a penalty on the point after and the Lions went for 2, getting it to lead 15-14 with 9:22 left in the half. A Kuemper punt on their third possession pinned Central Lyon/George-Little Rock at their own 19-yard line. DJ Vonnahme came up with the play of the game to that point, jumping the passing lane and picking off the pass, returning it to the Lions 25-yard line. Brock Badding found DJ Vonnahme on a beautiful timing pattern in the back of the end zone on third down and Kuemper took a 21-15 lead with 2:21 left in the half. It looked like the Knights would extend the lead before half. The squib kick was recovered by Kuemper at the 49-yard line, giving them a chance to add to the lead. They moved the ball into field goal range but couldn’t connect on a 35-yarder. Central Lyon/George-Little Rock nearly took advantage, getting a big run by Eben, then missing on a pair of Hail Mary’s before half. The Knights held a 21-15 lead at half and had to be feeling good about their chances.
The Knights defense forced a punt to open the 2nd half, but the Kuemper offense was unable to establish the run game and went three and out. The Lions adjusted to Kuemper’s adjustments at half against the fun game and scored quickly with Reece Vander Zee racing in from 7-yards out, capping a 6-play, 59-yard drive, tying the game at 21. Kuemper couldn’t pick up a first down on their second drive of the half and Central Lyon/George-Little Rock took their second lead of the game when Graham Eben scored on a 2-yard run. The Lions went 40-yards in 6-plays, scoring with 1:20 left in the 3rd quarter. Kuemper came up with a big answer as the offense began to click, marching down field with an 11-play drive, scoring on a 37-yard pass from Brock Badding to DJ Vonnahme, who made an incredible catch, reaching around the defender. Kuemper missed the extra point but tied the game at 27 early in the 4th quarter. The Lions running game was humming all game and they leaned on it again on their ensuing drive. The Lions went 64-yards in 3-plays with Reece Vander Zee scoring on a 12-yard run, putting them up 34-27 with 10:30 left in the game. This is where the game changed as the Lions took control of the momentum. They kickef off down the Knights sideline on a pooch kick. Kuemper was not able to fall on the football and the Lions recovered it at the Kuemper 16-yard line. Vander Zee added another touchdown run on a 5-yard run, 2 plays later and they led 41-27 with 9:57 left. There was time for the Knights and their offense had been able to move the ball. They grabbed a quick first down, but were forced to punt and Central Lyon/George-Little Rock put the game out of reach with Eben scoring on a 17-yard run with 3:41 left. Kuemper fumbled on their next drive and Eben recovered with 1:42 left. Central Lyon/George-Little Rock ran the clock out, advancing to the Dome with a 48-27 win.
Kuemper ends an outstanding season, reaching the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2013, ending their season at 8-3, with a district title.
Kuemper Stats- Unofficial
Brock Badding 21-30 passing 270-yards, 3 TD, 1 Rush TD
Jake Hausman 7 receptions 84-yards, TD
DJ Vonnahme 7 receptions 112-yards, 2 TD
Michael Kasperbauer 2 receptions 34-yards
Ben Gerken 1 reception 32-yards
Kaesin Pierce 12 carries 35-yards
Box Score
Teams 1 2 3 4 Final
Kuemper 7 14 0 6 27
CLGLR 7 8 12 21 48
