What we learned from Ballard's heartbreaking loss to Atlantic: Bombers fall on the road, 15-12
A great defensive effort wasn't enough for the Ballard football team at Atlantic Friday.
The Bombers gave up 12 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to suffer a painful 15-12 loss in their final tune-up before Class 3A District 2 competition begins next week.
"Turnovers and penalties really hurt us," Ballard co-head coach Kyle Howard said. "We need to continue to improve in order to compete in a very tough district."
Ballard took a 12-3 lead into the fourth quarter. The loss put the Bombers at 1-3 on the season Atlantic evened its record at 2-2.
Here is what we learned from Ballard's heartbreaking loss to the Trojans:
Defense gives Ballard a chance
Ballard was in control for most of the night and had a chance to pull off the victory thanks to its outstanding defense.
The Bombers held the Trojans to 228 yards. Atlantic only put up 16 yards on the ground.
"I'm really proud of how our defense played against a good offense," Howard said.
Brody Sampson had 9.5 tackles and a sack and Jack Nelson tallied 4.5 stops plus a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery to lead the Bombers on defense. Jayden Swain also made 4.5 stops and a tackle for loss, Trevor Kalsem finished with 2.5 tackles and a stop behind the line and Chance Lande finished with five tackles and an interception.
Caleb Sparks chipped in 6.5 tackles, Tucker Vitzthum 5.5, Henry Christensen five and Gabe Christensen 4.5 plus a fumble recovery.
Bomber offense sputters
Ballard only had 209 yards of total offense Friday.
The Bombers totaled 109 yards rushing and 100 passing. Eli Rouse continued to be a bright spot for Ballard on offense with 68 yards and two touchdowns rushing and 48 yards passing.
Gabe Christensen finished with two catches for 44 yards and Jakson Fleischmann three for 21. Miles Mudd completed 4 of 6 passes for 27 yards and Luke Hartsook 3 of 6 for 25.
Tough test ahead
District play opens in the most difficult way possible for Ballard.
The Bombers will face a 4-0 Humboldt team ranked No. 2 in Class 3A for homecoming. The Wildcats are coming off a 37-0 victory over Boone.
Ballard and Humbolt are set to kick off at 7 p.m. Friday at Rich Strouse Field in Huxley.
Atlantic 15, Ballard 12
Ballard 0 12 0 0 — 12
Atlantic 3 0 0 12 — 15
Individual statistical leaders
Rushing: Ballard — Eli Rouse 26-68. Atlantic — Tanner O'Brien 6-10.
Passing: Ballard — Rouse 3-4-0-48. Atlantic — Caden Andersen 25-40-2-212.
Receiving: Ballard — Gabe Christensen 2-44. Atlantic — Carter Pellett 6-62.
Tackles: Ballard — Brody Sampson 9.5. Atlantic — Easton O'Brien 8.
Sacks: Ballard — Sampson 1.
Fumble recoveries: Ballard — Christensen 1, Jack Nelson 1. Atlantic — Nolan Watters 1, Brenden Casey 1, Miles Mundorf 1.
Interceptions: Ballard — Chance Lande 1.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: What we learned from Ballard's heartbreaking loss to Atlantic
