Penalties, missed tackles lead to homecoming loss for Warriors

Kyle Reinhart returns a kickoff in the Warriors’ Oct. 4 homecoming loss to Riceville. (Photos by Bev Hamann)

Central quarterback Griffen Hammersland searches for a received while under pressure from a Wildcat defender.

Braxton Bormann breaks away from a Riceville defender on a rushing attempt.
By Willis Patenaude | Times-Register
The Central band played the national anthem under the lights of Dittmer Stadium on Oct. 4, rousing the crowd before the Warriors burst through the “Ready to Fight” banner, still riding high off their victory over Waterloo Christian in the UNI Dome the week prior.
Central hoped to keep rolling against the Riceville Wildcats, using a punishing rushing game and pressure defense that held the Regent offense scoreless the week before.
The homecoming atmosphere had a little extra buzz as the Warriors kicked the ball off to the Wildcats, who brought it back for a 30-yard return. Tackles by Mason Loan and Garrett Burns stuffed the running game during the opening drive, holding Riceville to no gain. The Warriors then forced the Wildcats into a fourth and long situation, but Wildcat quarterback Jack Adams found an open receiver in the back right corner of the end zone for a touchdown.
Down 6-0 after a failed extra point, the Warriors received the kickoff and Kyle Reinhart returned the ball to midfield to give Central decent field position. Unfortunately, the rest of the drive was marred by a fumbled snap, false start penalty, zero running lanes and an incomplete pass by Griffen Hammersland on fourth and 15, as the wide receiver appeared to fall down on the route.
Three plays later, including another deep downfield pass, the Wildcats punched the ball across the goal line and extended the lead to 14-0 after a successful two-point conversion.
The second drive was also unkind to the Warriors, who fumbled the ball on the first play. The Wildcats recovered, and a quarterback draw play ended in another touchdown, putting Central down 20-0.
The ensuing drive saw the Warrior offensive line succumb to the blitz, as Central’s rushing attack was met at the line of scrimmage and halted repeatedly throughout the night. The drive also had a block in the back penalty on the Warriors and another fourth and 15 attempt end on an incomplete pass.
The Warriors had a chance to stem the tide on the next drive, as Riceville committed two penalties, an intentional grounding and offensive pass interference call that set up a third down and long situation. Central was unable to capitalize, as missed open field tackles led to a quarterback run that ended in a first down. Three plays later, an open Wildcat receiver caught another touchdown pass.
Before halftime, the Warrior offense showed signs of life, with Hammersland completing a deep pass down the right sideline, setting up a first and goal situation with less than 20 seconds left in the second quarter. Due to the continuous clock, which had already started running, the team was unable to get set for a follow-up play before time expired, and the Warriors entered halftime down 43-0.
The Warriors received the kickoff in the third quarter and started with two runs by Owen Hammersland that ended in a loss of two yards, followed by an incomplete pass and a punt on fourth and 12. The Wildcats needed just one play and two missed tackles to rush for another touchdown along the left sideline, bringing the score to 49-0.
Central put together another positive drive toward the end of the third quarter, on a deep pass from Griffen Hammersland that set the Warriors up inside the five yard line, but they never found the end zone. The game ended in a 56-0 loss.
The Warriors were undone by false start penalties, missed open field tackles that led to long runs and extended Wildcat drives and defensive backs that had no answers for Riceville’s aerial attack. Riceville’s quarterback floated passes through the misty October sky to wide open receivers throughout the game.
“We beat ourselves Friday night. We weren’t focused on the details like we needed to be, and didn’t give ourselves a chance to compete. Attention to detail, and ignoring distractions, is what we need to improve on moving forward,” said coach J.W. Downs said.
Individual game statistics were not available at press time.
The Warriors go on the road Oct. 11, for a gridiron tussle against the Kee Hawks. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.