PELLA — A pair of second-half touchdowns — the later with just over a minute to play — came up just short of lifting visiting Woodward-Granger to a victory Friday over Pella Christian in a Class 1A District 7 showdown.
The Eagles (4-4, 4-0) held a 14-0 lead at the break, then stopped both two-point conversion attempts from the Hawks (5-3, 3-1) to preserve a 14-12 victory.
The hosts had scored when quarterback Dan Jungling broke free for a 34-yard touchdown, with Jase Amelse finding the end zone on an eight-yard plunge. Jungling added a two-point conversion run for the halftime advantage.
W-G finally moved the scoreboard when Tate Lettow burst through tacklers for a 14-yard TD with 4:06 to play in the third quarter. The score was set up by Bryce Achenbach’s interception and 17-yard return. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the guests with a 14-6 deficit.
Reese Jamison hit on just two of eight passes for 18 yards, both to Achenbach. One went for 10 yards, but their eight-yard connection with 1:28 remaining in the contest brought the visitors to within 14-12, where they remained when the conversion try was denied.
Jungling was 8-13-1 passing for 87 yards for the Eagles. He added 154 rushing yards and a TD on 23 attempts, with Amelse gaining 72 yards on 20 carries.
Lettow had 129 yards and a score on 24 rushes for the Hawks, with Kade Polich (12-58) and Jamison (4-15) also carrying the ball.
Jamison (10.5), Trevor Simmons (7.5) and John McKeever (7) led W-G in tackles. Polich had five stops and two quarterback sacks, with Jamison recovering an Eagle fumble.
W-G finishes the regular season by hosting Colfax-Mingo. The Tigerhawks (3-4, 1-3) were 31-20 winners over host Woodward Academy Friday and will be making a return trip to Hawk Stadium to cap their season.
