Not-So-Instant Classic

You like the title? It works in so many ways ... the actual Waverly-Shell Rock vs Xavier game on October 3 was delayed by over an hour due to lightning in the third quarter, so, not-so-instant. Also, today is October 20, two weeks after that game, and I'm just getting around to blogging about it. Clever, ain't it?

Sorry about the delay, particularly since this game meant a lot in District 3, and it was quite an entertaining and competitive matchup. I could give you excuses (I'm in rehearsals, I have to work, I've been out of town, I have a cold ... all of those are true, by the way), but I still should have kept up better.

Okay ... Week 7 of the high school football season, and both Xavier and Waverly-Shell Rock are unbeaten. The Go-Hawks have the best overall defense in District 3; the Saints have the best rush defense. Waverly-Shell Rock has one of the top overall offenses in D-3, and a strong ground game boasting the district's top two rushers (Luke Velky and Gabe Santioemma); Xavier brings a good balance on offense that's not flashy but spreads the ball around and gets results. Waverly-Shell Rock boasts a couple of the district's best punt returners; Xavier's special teams have always been outstanding.

The winner takes sole possession of the lead in D-3, with a strong hold on the championship. The loser probably will remain in the runner up spot, so both teams still look good for the playoffs.Not to mention, this is the fifth game between these two teams in four seasons; they met in the playoffs in both 2014 and 2015, then played both a district game and a playoff game last year. Xavier has won all four meetings.

It was a wet, breezy first half at Saints Field, with predictions for possible thunderstorms developing through the evening. Throughout the first quarter, the Go-Hawks have a better go of it, getting into Xavier territory with a punt return (then missing a field goal) and starting on the Xavier side on their second possession (with a sack setting them back). Something to note, however - running back Gabe Santioemma leaves the game sometime during those first two drives and never gets back on teh field. Meanwhile the Saints can't even get a first down on the Waverly-Shell Rock defense. Near the end of the quarter, a rare Xavier turnover - a punt return is fumbled away and the Go-Hawks recover at the 15. Ben Hemer runs it in five plays later and Waverly-Shell Rock takes a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter.

The Saints respond, putting together an impressive 11-play drive. Xavier converts on a 4th and 1, and later on a crucial 3rd down play Quinn Schulte scrambles to field an errant shotgun snap, rolls away from pressure, and throws a dart to Kyle Moeder for 23 yards and the first down. The drive ends with a toss from Schulte to Jax Junge in the left flat, who makes a terrific cut upfield past a tackler and runs into the end zone to tie the game at 7 midway through the second.

Penalties on Waverly-Shell Rock and another bad snap that gets past Schulte stymie both teams as the quarter continues. With about a minute left, though, Xavier fields a punt and starts at their 37. Braden Stovie rips off a key 16-yard run, and Coach Schulte guides the Saints through a quick drive to get into field goal position. Ben Conrad nails the 36-yard kick just inside the right upright with 4 seconds left, and Xavier takes a 10-7 lead into the locker room.

This could prove to be huge. After both teams trade a couple of possessions moving into the third quarter, lightning is spotted to the west and the officials stop play. With a 30-minute delay added each time lightning is seen, the potential for a long delay (or even suspension or ending of the game) becomes a factor. Once a full half of football has been played, a game can be called as final - chances are Waverly-Shell Rock would not be too pleased with taking a 10-7 loss after only 30-some minutes of game time, but the procedure for getting the teams back together to finish the contest adds a lot of complications. (Actually, in southwestern Iowa another game with huge implications in D-7 was halted with just a few minutes left to play in the game - and the teams agreed to get back together on Saturday to finish the last bit, instead of taking the result as it stood. Seems like a lot of trouble, and you have to take into account the physical aches and pains players have on Saturdays anyway, but ... you do what you have to do. That game ended the same way it was when it was halted, by the way.) It was a great topic of discussion in the press box during the delay.

And it all turned out to be moot, as the storm moved off and the teams were able to pick back up just over an hour after the game was stopped. The rest actually seemed to do both offenses some good. Xavier came back out and continued another nice drive against the sturdy Go-Hawk defense, but an off-target snap on a field goal try led to a miss by Conrad.

On to the fourth quarter, Xavier still up 10-7. After a sack of Schulte, the Saints are forced to punt fairly deep back in their territory. Mitch Willey's kick takes a tremendous roll, finally being downed all the way at the Waverly-Shell Rock 31, a punt of some 57 yards. The Go-Hawks turn that around quickly, though - on the second play Velky avoids the rush and throws a pass to Jordan Downing near midfield. Downing eludes the first tackler, breaks across the field, gets past another defender, and ends up going all the way for a 68-yard touchdown. The Waverly-Shell Rock fans and players explode with happiness, as the Go-Hawks take a 14-10 lead with only six and a half minutes left.

Xavier is not shaken. Starting at the 28, Schulte drops back on first down. He looks the safety off to the right, then turns left and hurls a deep pass down the left sideline to Junge, who is covered by a linebacker downfield. Junge makes the catch and takes the ball to the Go-Hawk 29. On the next play, a well-designed pass play gets Moeder wide open about the 5-yard-line on the right side. Schulte loops the ball to him, and Moeder backs his way into the end zone over a Waverly-Shell Rock tackler. Boom. Two plays go 72 yards and Xavier gets back on top, 17-14.

And then - Jack Seward fumbles the ensuing kickoff return, and Xavier recovers at the 18 with a chance to go up by two scores with about five minutes to play. Waverly-Shell Rock's defense comes up big, though, and Xavier has to settle for another Conrad field goal, making it 20-14. The Go-Hawks have to chance, if they can get the ball into the end zone. They give it a try, with Velky throwing the ball and picking up first downs, getting Waverly-Shell Rock near midfield. There he is chased out of the pocket, and throws to the left to a momentarily open receiver. A Xavier defender leaps high in front of the receiver and tips the ball up into the air. McClain Burger dives for it, getting his hands around the ball as he rolls to the ground and securing the interception.

But even that doesn't ice the game - if the Go-Hawks can force a three-and-out, they'll get their offense back on the field. Once again, Xavier responds. On second and 12, Schulte runs on a keeper, and is grabbed by a couple of linebackers. He keeps driving his feet, more Xavier blockers push into the pile, more Waverly-Shell Rock defenders jump in ... but Schulte will not go down until he finishes a 14-yard run for the first down. That pretty much ices it, and the Saints are about to run down the clock from there.

Xavier takes the 20-14 decision, remaining unbeaten and taking sole possession of first place in D-3 while ensuring their entry into the playoffs for the 12th straight year. Waverly-Shell Rock goes to 6-1 (4-1 in the district), and having already defeated Decorah and Independence (the only other two playoff contenders) are in pretty solid position for second place and a playoff spot.

It was a tremendous battle between two determined foes, and a very entertaining game to watch. Will they end up meeting in the playoffs for the fourth year in a row? It's possible ...