What we learned from the Ballard football team's 26-14 loss to No. 2 Humboldt
The Ballard football team gave a tremendous effort against second-ranked Humboldt in a Class 3A District 2 contest at Rich Strouse Field in Huxley Friday.
The Bombers gave the unbeaten Wildcats all they could handle during homecoming week in Huxley.
Ballard kept the score even at 7-7 going into the locker room at halftime and only trailed by one point going into the fourth quarter before running out of gas in 26-14 loss.
The setback put Ballard at 1-4 on the season and 0-1 in 3A District 2. Here is what we learned from the Bombers' tremendous effort against the Wildcats:
Defense keeps Bombers close
Ballard only had 128 yards of offense Friday night.
But the Bomber defense did a tremendous job slowing down an elite Wildcat offense. Ballard only allowed 280 yards of total offense and the Bombers forced two turnovers.
Linebacker Gabe Christensen had 7.5 tackles and he returned an interception 14 yards for a touchdown to lead Ballard's outstanding defensive effort. Fellow linebacker Brody Sampson also had a big night, finishing with nine tackles and three sacks.
Henry Christensen added 5.5 tackles and a sack, Chance Lande 4.5 stops and an interception and Jayden Swain four stops.
Offense still searching for answers
The Ballard offense had another rough night, finishing with under 130 total yards.
Running back Eli Rouse continued to be a bright spot. Rouse ran for 106 yards on 31 carries.
Quarterback Luke Hartsook completed 8 of 18 passes for 36 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions. Jakson Fleischmann made two receptions for 26 yards and one touchdown.
Another ranked foe this week
Ballard gets another top-five 3A team this week in old rival Nevada.
Nevada (4-1) is ranked fifth and is coming off a 25-22 victory at Gilbert. Ballard lost a 34-13 decision in Huxley last year before going on a three-game winning streak to reach the playoffs.
The Bombers and Cubs will kick off at 7 p.m. this Friday at Cub Stadium in Nevada.
Humboldt 26, Ballard 14
Humboldt 7 0 6 13 — 26
Ballard 0 7 7 0 — 13
Individual statistical leaders
Rushing: Humboldt — Lance Coon 21-229. Ballard — Eli Rouse 31-106.
Passing: Humboldt — Will Orness 2-8-2-15. Ballard — Luke Hartsook 8-18-2-36.
Receiving: Humboldt — Trever Beach 1-8. Ballard — Jakson Fleischmann 2-26.
Tackles: Humboldt — Michael Illg 7. Ballard — Brody Sampson 9.
Sacks: Humboldt — Tayeton Lohaus 2. Ballard — Sampson 3.
Fumble recoveries: Humboldt — Orness 1.
Interceptions: Humboldt — Beach, Ty Gargano. Ballard — Gabe Christensen 1, Chance Lande 1.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ballard football team gives gutsy effort in loss to No. 2 Humboldt
