TRURO — Everything was in hand, until it wasn’t.
Woodward-Granger (2-3, 2-1) held a 33-13 lead with just under eight minutes to play Friday when host Interstate-35 (3-2, 1-2) suddenly erupted for 21 unanswered points as the Roadrunners shocked the Hawks, 34-33, in Class 1A District 5 action. W-G had a 19-7 lead at the half and appeared well on their way to a 3-0 district mark when the I-35 offense exploded to steal the victory, capping off the improbable rally with a touchdown in the final minute against a stunned W-G defense.
W-G rushed for 260 yards and received the best effort of the season from quarterback Brendan Bird, who hit 6-of-14 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns while being intercepted once.
John Stucker caught two passes for 96 yards for the Hawks, one of which was a 40-TD snatch. J.P. Nixon had three catches for 50 yards, one from Payton Tague for 28 yards, one from Bird for nine yards and another from Bird that covered 13 yards and provided six points. Tague had a 40-yard reception and Logan Canova a catch for 30 to account for the W-G aerial attack.
Tanner Vermaas carried 28 times for 178 yards and three short touchdowns, with Bird gaining 58 yards on five runs. Austin Scharlau (3-13), Josh Saak (2-7) and Tague (2-4) also had carries.
The Hawks received a two-point conversion from Vermaas, with Matt Hansen hitting 1-of-2 PAT kicks, but leaving three touchdowns at only six points came back to burn the visitors, although it was hardly the reason for the loss.
I-35 quaterback Brayden Egli scorched the W-G defense for 308 yards and two scores on an impressive 21-of-29 effort. He was intercepted once, with Saak returning the theft 33 yards.
Richie Grigolione had his way in the passing lanes, catching 12 balls for 197 yards and two scores. Austin Beener (4-71) and Mason Cassidy (4-45) also played a role, with Grant Richardson tossed for a five-yard loss on his one reception.
The Roadrunners ran for 164 yards, with Cassidy (12-57, 2 TDs) and Egli (6-56, 1 TD) doing most of the damage, with Tanner Daniels (15-35) and Richardson (2-16) also involved.
Dante Arzani had eight tackles to lead the defense, with Cassidy picking off a pass and making six stops. Carter Bussanmas hit 4-of-5 PAT kicks, including all three in the period.
Tague, Scharlau and Matt Buch each had a fumble recovery for W-G, with Devan Kirkman (8.5), Joe Sturgeon (8), Tague (6.5) and Scharlau (6) leading the tackle lists.
W-G returns home Friday for a visit from Des Moines Christian (2-4, 1-2). The Lions were 30-27 winners over visiting Central Decatur last Friday.
