Kuemper Vs Van Meter- Class 2A State Championship
Kuemper 28
Van Meter 7
Kuemper was dominant on defense, took advantage of four Van Meters turnovers and earned their second State Championship, downing Van Meter 28-7. The Knights defense came up big early, and it set the tempo for the entire game. Van Meter picked off an early Kuemper pass and moved the ball down field, but the defense stood tall, forcing a punt. The defense had to make another early stop after the Bulldogs returned a Kuemper punt to the Knights 28-yard line. Charles Mayhall blasted through a gap in the offensive line on 4th and 2 and Kuemper turned Van Meter over on downs. The Kuemper defense set up the first Knights score, helping to jump start an offense that was struggling to get their footing early. The Knights built a 14-0 lead at half and used a turnover to start the 2nd half to push it to a three-score lead, winning their first title since 2013.
Kuemper picked up a first down on their opening drive, but Christian Williams read a Kuemper pass across the middle, getting the interception to halt the Knights drive. Van Meter took over at their own 42-yard line and had some success running and passing but Kuemper got a big stop on 3rd down and forced a punt. Kuemper tried to establish the running game, but Van Meter was wining the line of scrimmage. A Kuemper punt gave Van Meter momentum as Lexon Blevins returned it to the Kuemper 28-yard line. The Kuemper defense came up huge, with a 4th down stop by Charles Mayhall, getting the ball back for their offense. A three and out gave the Bulldogs the ball back and the defenses dominated the early part of the game. Brock Badding pinned Van Meter at their won 21-yard, flipping the field and Brayton Alford made an interception off a tipped pass, setting up Kuemper at the Bulldogs 24-yard line with 0:37 left in the 1st quarter. The Knights took advantage with Brock Badding finding Charles Mayhall for a 14-yard touchdown with 11:38 left in the 1st half and Kuemper led 7-0. Mayhall made a nice run and catch, breaking a tackle around the 10-yard line. Van Meter could have tied the game as they moved into Kuemper territory, but the Knights held them on downs, getting the ball at their own 33-yard line. Brock Badding led them on their best drive of the game, marching 67-yards in 8-plays with Jarin Hoffman punching it in from 3-yards out and Kuemper took a 14-0 lead with 6:33 left in the half. A Charles Mayhall fumble stalled another Van Meter drive and Kuemper led 14-0 at half.
Van Meter got a strong kick return to start the 2nd half, but the ball came loose on the sideline and Kuemper pounced on the ball, recovering it at midfield. The Knights scored on the 7th play of the drive with Brock Badding sneaking in from a yard out and the Knights led 21-0 with 10:27 left in the 3rd quarter. Both offenses had success moving the ball in the 3rd quarter as Van Meter went on a 11-play drive but had to punt it away. Kuemper ate up 5:02 but fumbled the ball on the 13th-play of their drive, early in the 4th quarter. The teams traded punts with Van Meter pulling within two scores with a 50-yard touchdown pass from Henry Lounsbury to Andon Watson with 5:37 remaining. The Bulldogs recovered the onside kick and appeared to have momentum. Teddy Perkins sealed the win for the Knights with his second interception at the Dome this season. Kuemper took advantage with Jarin Hoffman breaking off a big run up the middle, getting to the 2-yard line. He scored on the next play and Kuemper led 28-7 with 2:24 remaining. The game ended fittingly with the defense forcing a turnover-on-downs and Brock Badding kneeling out the final 0:24 for the 28-7 win.
Jarin Hoffman had a big 2nd half running the ball with 156-yards and 2 touchdowns. Lucas Diehl and Jack Badding dominated up front on defense with Diehl finishing with 7 tackles, 3 TFL and 3 sacks, Badding added 7 tackles, 3 TFL and 4 sacks. Brayton Alford added 8 tackles with an interception for a defense that was dynamite all game. Brock Badding passed for 153-yards and a touchdown, adding a running touchdown. Braxton Vonnahme had 7 catches for 48-yards.
The Knights wrapped up a brilliant season, going 13-0 and claiming the Class 2A State Championship. Video Interviews with Charles Mayhall, Braxton Vonnahme, Head Coach Ryan Steinkamp, Brock Badding and Jarin Hoffman can be found on the cbsportsnetwork Youtube channel, Facebook page and Twitter page.
Kuemper Stats
Brock Badding 17-30 passing 153-yards, TD, INT- 2 carries 4-yards, TD
Jarin Hoffman 28 carries 156-yards, 2 TD
Charles Mayhall 1 reception 14-yards, TD- 3.5 tackles, 2 TFL, sack, 4-4 PAT
Braxton Vonnahme 7 receptions 48-yards
Ryan Lucas 4 receptions 42-yards
Griffin Glynn 3 receptions 32-yards
Lucas Diehl 7 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 sacks
Brayton Alford 8 tackles, TFL, interception
Jack Badding 7 tackles, 3 TFL, 4 sacks
Maguire Hoyt 6 tackles, TFL, sack
Box Score
Teams 1 2 3 4 Final
Van Meter 0 0 0 7 7
Kuemper 0 14 7 7 28
