Lenox loses in battle of the undefeated
Nov. 10—CEDAR FALLS — Coming into the state semi-final matchup, undefeated Remsen St. Mary's had outscored their opponents 665-62 in their 11 games, averaging more than 60 points per game while allowing an average of less than six points.
Though Lenox proved their toughest challenge this year, Remsen pulled away Wednesday with the 42-20 victory to advance to the state championship game next weekend.
The game appeared to start as any other for the Hawks, their first play on offense a 55-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cael Ortmann to Ryan Willman. Only 20 seconds into the game, Remsen was up 8-0.
The Tigers didn't let the adversity stop them, and responded in turn with a 65-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Gabe Funk to senior Isaac Grundman. The failure to convert the 2-point conversion made the score 8-6 less than 30 seconds into the matchup.
Lenox continued to challenge the Hawks on defense, senior Owen Junker sacking Ortmann on a short third down. After an encroachment call on the Tigers gave Remsen the first down, senior Caeden David hit Ortmann on the run, forcing a fumble. Grundman picked up the ball and ran it to the Hawks' 15-yard line.
"We just kept everything the same," Lenox head co-coach Cole Bonde said of preparing the defense to face the offensive powerhouse. "They did a really good job — that's a very phenomenal offense they have over there. Our boys executed pretty well."
The Tigers lost some momentum on their next drive, finding themselves at third down and 30 after a fumble and a penalty. They were forced to punt after failure to convert the first down.
Lenox senior Trayce Miller came out with a sack on second down in the Hawks' next drive, but a holding call negated the defensive play.
Miller said playing in the dome meant everything to him. "This is everything that I've ever wanted," he said. "It's just been a dream since I was a little kid."
Just a few plays later, Ortmann found Willman again for a 39-yard touchdown reception, increasing their lead to 15-6 with just over three minutes left in the first quarter.
"They can do a little bit of everything," Bonde said. "They can run the ball with a couple of different guys and their receivers are good. Their quarterback, he'll throw the ball anywhere on the field. That's hard to defend."
The second quarter began with Remsen on offense, but two straight incomplete passes set the Hawks up for fourth and 9. The decision was made to go for it, but covered by Grundman, the pass went incomplete as well.
The Lenox crowd erupted in cheers as the Tigers took over on offense. On third and long on the Tigers 19-yard line, Funk kept the ball, breaking tackles and racing along the sideline, outpacing defenders to bring the ball in for a touchdown. After the 2-point conversion to senior Jake Cox, Lenox cut into Remsen's lead, making the score 15-14.
Funk logged 134 passing yards, 154 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the matchup.
The Hawks continued their offensive strategy, Ortmann finding Willman for their third touchdown of the game. Ortmann kept the ball for the 2-point conversion, once again increasing their lead to 23-14 with 8 minutes left in the half.
Grundman, Funk and senior Keigan Kitzman took turns running the ball down field, making it deep in Remsen territory before a 6-yard sack put them at fourth and 10. The Tigers took a risk going for it, but were unable to complete the pass from Funk to David, turning the ball over on downs.
Remsen made quick work on offense, Willman with a 33-yard reception followed by a 27-yard touchdown run by Jaxon Bunkers to make the score 30-14.
Lenox was unable to respond on offense, but their defense stopped a score with a Funk interception in the end zone to end the half.
Coming out after the half, the Tigers had momentum on their side. Grundman, Kitzman and Funk took turns running down field, until they found themselves on the 5-yard line where Funk punched it in for the touchdown, the score read 30-20, the closest Lenox would be for the remainder of the game.
A sack by Miller on fourth down turned the ball back over to the Tigers who continued their momentum. A low, sliding reception from David gave Lenox a first down midway through the third quarter. On fourth and 4, Funk escaped for 32 yards, taking the ball down to the 1-yard line.
This point was pivotal in the game as the Hawks' defense stopped Grundman, Kitzman and Funk as they each took a shot at running it into the end zone.
Ortmann found Alex Schroeder for a touchdown early in the fourth and then Bunkers ran the ball in late in the fourth to create the final score — 42-20.
Coming into the game, Bonde said he told the seniors they were guaranteed 48 more minutes to play the game they love. "We didn't come up here just to come up here," he said. "We wanted to go to the next step and give it everything we've got, and they did."
Seniors wrapping up their careers include Samson Adams, Jake Cox, Caeden David, Isaac Grundman, Xavier Adamson, Keigan Kitzman, Leo Wardlow, Trayce Miller, Owen Junker and Oscar Quintanilla.
"They're a great group of kids," Bonde said. "They've worked very hard for this and I'm very fortunate to coach them the last four years and they're going to do some great things."
Remsen St. Mary's moves on to face WACO, who beat Newell-Fonda Wednesday 29-21. They will play at the state championship game Nov. 17 at the UNI-Dome.
