LAMONI — The Graceland University gridiron served as the turf for a Class 1A District 8 scrum between Woodward-Granger and host Central Decatur last Friday.
After falling into a 12-0 third quarter hole, W-G rallied to snag a 15-12 lead. The Cardinals ran back a kickoff for a 20-15 edge, but the third rushing touchdown of the game from Tanner Vermaas lifted the Hawks to a 22-20 victory.
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Josh Saak (27) falls on a punt that was mishandled by Central Decatur standout Peyton Pedersen (12).
Quarterback Brendan Bird (14) rolls right and connects with Johnnie Morgan (13) for a 15-yard gain.
Bird (14) runs an option play to the left. Fullback Josh Saak (27) blocks two men on the play and left tackle Drew Jacobson (58) collects another to allow for a gain of 20 yards.
The W-G defensive line stunts and the Central Decatur offensive line fails to adjust, allowing middle linebacker Tanner Vermaas (28) to come clean on a blitz and sack Boothe Carter for an 11-yard loss. Vermaas had three sacks and a tackle for loss in W-G’s win.
Bird (14) double-pumps, then hits a streaking Race Brant (20) for a 20-yard gain. A flag was thrown for defensive pass interference, which was, of course, declined.
Vermass (28) runs inside a kick-out block from left tackle Jacobson (58) and follows fullback Saak (27) into the hole. As Saak collects a second man, Vermass plows over one man and breaks free, with Austin Scharlau (24) aiding the run with a block. Forty yards later W-G had their first score of the contest.
Vermaas (28) recognizes the play, charges into the backfield between two offensive linemen and drops a helpless Pedersen (12) for a six-yard loss.
Cardinal quarterback Carter sees Vermaas (28) coming on a blitz and eludes the linebacker by stepping up in the pocket, only to be drilled into the turf from behind by Jacobson (58).
Center Josh Groves (74) plows open a lane and left guard James Barger (62) pulls and clears a linebacker out of the way, enabling Vermaas to dash up the middle for a 17-yard TD.
Right guard Hunter Vermaas (52) and right tackle Brody Easter (71) collapse the left side of the Central Decatur defensive line, allowing Brant (20) time to break into the open and pick up 14 yards on a jet sweep.
The Hawk coaching staff had to be pleased when breaking down this crucial play. Center Groves (74) first chips his own man, knocking him off the play, then steps forward to create a seal block on one linebacker while left guard Barger (62) pulls and wipes a second linebacker out of the play. The rest is all Tanner Vermaas, who fakes past a flat-footed safety and steps into the open, outrunning the defense for a 45-yard TD in the waning minutes that proved to be the game-winning score.
W-G will have a tough test Friday as they host Van Meter Friday in another D8 showdown. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Hawk Stadium.
