Fifth-ranked Underwood dismisses W-G in second round

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Woodward-Granger prepares to snap the ball against Kuemper Catholic earlier this season. Quarterback Trevor Simmons lines up under center Hunter Heard, with Garrett Burkhart (77) and Trey Lettow (78) at the guard positions. Photo courtesy Teresa Zieman Lettow.

UNDERWOOD — A stifling defense and sturdy ground attack helped carry Class 1A No. 5 Underwood to a 37-7 win over Woodward-Granger in the second round of the postseason Friday.

The Eagles (8-1) held a 13-0 halftime lead before all but ending the drama with a 17-0 scoring edge in the third period. The Hawks (6-3) passed for 128 yards but were held to just 89 yards on the ground in suffering the loss.

Underwood quarterback Alex Ravlin connected on 13-of-22 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns, both of which went to Brayden Wollan (7-100). Blake Hall (5-65) and Quinn Kuck (1-12) also caught Eagle aerials.

Trevor Simmons was asked to pass 24 times by the normally conservative Hawk offense. He completed eight attempts for 128 yards and a score, but was intercepted three times.

Dylan McCaulley pulled in a 57-yard TD pass from Simmons in the fourth quarter to prevent the shutout. Kade Polich booted the PAT.

Christian Husmann (3-38), Carter Moran (3-32), and Worth Henry (1-1) had the other receptions for the guests.

The hosts ran for 234 yards on 44 totes, with Joey Anderson (21-148, 1 TD) leading the way. Hayden Goehring scored on two short runs and had 42 yards on five rushes, with Ravlin (12-38) helping add to the team total.

Polich had 92 yards on 16 carries to pace W-G.

John McKeever’s eight tackles were the team-high for the guests, with McCaulley making 7.5 stops and Simmons 5.5 while also recovering a fumble. McKeever, Jack Muesberger and Garrett Burkhart each had one sack, with the trio joined by Alex Evans, Kris Kammerer, and Trey Lettow in making tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

The Eagle defense made three interceptions, fell on one Hawk fumble, made two sacks, and had 11 tackles for a loss.

Kicker Collin Brandt hit 4-of-5 PAT boots and 1-of-2 field goal attempts, splitting the uprights from 28 yards out in the third quarter.

The win advances Underwood to a 1A Pod C battle at Mt. Ayr (7-1) in Friday’s third round. The Raiders were 20-14 winners over Interstate-35. The other Pod C battle has Pella Christian (6-3), a 21-19 winner over Panorama, traveling to Van Meter (8-0), who blanked AC/GC, 36-0, in the second round.

All third round and quarterfinal games will kick off at 7 p.m. Admission is $8.

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