Published: October 04, 2008 02:13 am            

Rebels win matchup of district unbeatens

By Jay Rickertsen

Assistant Sport Editor

GOOSE LAKE — The Northeast Rebels recorded their ninth shutout in the past 17 games to remain undefeated in Iowa Class 1A District 4 play with a 14-0 homecoming win over North Linn on Friday.

Last season, the Rebels shut out six opponents on their way to a 10-1 record and the program’s first ever playoff win.

This season, Northeast, ranked No. 10 in the most recent Associated Press poll, has shutout three of their first six opponents in starting the season 5-1 overall and 4-0 in district play.

Friday’s game was touted as a defensive showdown and the Rebels and Lynx did not disappoint as yards came grudgingly for each team.

“We knew it was going to be a battle,” Northeast senior quarterback Jordan Howe said. “We knew it was going to be a dogfight.”

The Rebels used a bruising ground game to key the win, led by sophomore running back Tanner Loots’ 133 yards on 22 carries. Loots has been called on to carry the bulk of the Rebels carries after injuries sidelined junior Mike Alexander earlier this season.

“I’m pretty amazed. I’m just stunned,” Loots said of his breakout performance. “I didn’t think I could do that. The line is huge and it’s great to run behind.”

“He is one of the toughest kids we have on this ball club.” Howe added of his young teammate. “He did a great job and Matt Clark did a great job running the ball.”

Northeast head coach Jeremy Mosier has been pleasantly surprised by the play of the sophomore.”

“We knew Tanner would be seeing time at varsity, but we thought it would be defense and special teams,” Mosier said. “He was forced into action against Clayton Ridge and he really showed us a lot. Tonight he was just fantastic. He did a really nice job. He reads blocks extremely well and makes great cuts and makes them at the right time. When you can compliment him with a back like Clark, who is going to bruise and get you those tough yards, it’s a good combination.”

Clark, a senior, ran for 63 yards on 12 carries.

Howe scored both the Rebels’ touchdowns with runs of one and three yards.

The first score came with 3:10 left in the second quarter after the teams played to a scoreless tie for much of the first half.

The drive was keyed by a Howe to Ryan Krogmann 38-yard pass play to get the Rebels into Lynx’ territory.

Loots hauled the ball 18 yards on a first-and-10 at the 24-yard line to give the home team first-and-goal at the six.

Howe took it to the 1-yard line on second down, but was stopped short on third down.

The senior signal caller called his own number on fourth-and-goal to put Northeast up 6-0.

Ivan Sandoval added the point after touchdown.

North Linn threatened to score late in the first half as they mounted a drive into Rebel territory.

A Zac Hogan to Matt Supple 29-yard pass play got the Lynx to the 5-yard line.

The Rebels’ defense held tough and turned North Linn away on three attempts.

Mike Meisheid lined up to kick the field goal. North Linn faked the field goal, but the Rebels sniffed it out and squashed the Lynx scoring threat.

“It was really crucial to get those first seven points,” Howe said. “Going into half-time after stopping the fake field goal, that was huge down there.”

In the second half, North Linn got inside the Northeast 10-yard line twice, but came away empty each time as the Rebel defense flexed its collective muscles.

“Our defense is going to be key and that’s what it’s going to take the rest of the year. Our defense really helps out our offense.” Howe added.

The Rebels second score came on a 13-play drive in the fourth quarter that covered 71 yards.

Howe capped off the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. Sandoval added the point after to put the Rebels up 14-0.

“Putting that drive together in the second half that was phenomenal,” Mosier said. “It was all on the ground and it was methodical and it was just what we needed.”

With the win, the Rebels now control their own playoff destiny with a 4-0 district record and only three games remaining.

“They hit you and they let you know they hit you,” Howe said of the Lynx physical playing style. “They’re a tough ball club.”

“They’re a much improved ball club,” Mosier said. “We knew they were going to give us a ball game, we’re just glad we had them at home and we came out on top.

“We told the kids that from here on out these are going to be games like this. Our offense is starting to get going.”

The Rebels will host Bellevue on Friday in another tough district test. The Comets 1-5 record may be misleading as Bellevue fell to North Linn 3-2 in Week 3.



Score by quarter

North Linn 0 0 0 0 — 0

Northeast 0 7 0 7 — 14



Scoring plays

NE-Jordan Howe 1 run (Ivan Sandoval kick), 3:10 2nd.

NE-Howe 3 run (Sandoval kick), 4:40 4th.



Team stats

NL NE

First downs 10 13

Rushing Yards 156 197

Passing Yards 70 48

Comp.-Att.-Int. 3-11-1 2-10-1

Punts-Average 5-29 5-37.6

Fumbles lost 3-0 3-1

Penalties-Yards 0-0 5-45



Northeast Individual leaders

Rushing—Tanner Loots 22-133, Matt Clark 12-63, Mike Alexander 3-8, Jordan Howe 12-(-10), Ryan Krogmann 1-3.

Passing—Howe 2-10-48-0.

Receiving—Krogmann 1-38, Clark 1-10.

Records—North Linn 4-2, 3-1 Iowa Class 1A District 4; Northeast 5-1, 4-0.

        

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