The North Butler football team reignited its run game with 201 rushing yards en route to a 18-14 win over South Winneshiek in their district and home opener on Friday. The Bearcat defense held their ground at the goal line by slowing down a Warrior offense that scored 42 points last week.
South Winneshiek found the endzone on the opening drive of the game to go up 6-0. On the ensuing drive the Bearcats marched right down the field and answered with a 24 yard touchdown run by Tucker Pecha to tie the game at 6-6 after one quarter. On the Bearcats first play of the second quarter, Pecha sprinted 80 yards for a touchdown to deliver the team’s first lead at 12-6, which was the halftime score.
The Warriors moved back in front 14-12 with a nine-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion with less than two minutes left in the third quarter. The Bearcats, on the ensuing kickoff, took the lead for good with 1:15 left in the third on a 90-yard touchdown return by Camryn Bartels to go up 18-14. The Bearcats defense stood for a scoreless fourth quarter to secure the win. Head Coach Jordan Vanderloop highlights what helped the Bearcats get back on track in their first win.
“We came out focused and the boys did had a complete 180 from week one. They came with a little attitude and a little chip on their shoulder. They came ready to go, so it was a great one for us,” says Vanderloop. “We were able to get the linemen communicating and blocking who they needed to. They did an excellent job with that. They opened holes for Tucker and Evan, so they did a lot of good things. It was an all-around team effort that we were able to get holes opened up, the running backs were able to see it, find the opening and make good cuts and good reads.”
Pecha had 120 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Brody Wangsness had 56 passing yards. Dillon Eberline had 8.5 tackles to lead the Bearcats.
North Butler (1-1, 1-0 A-3) will travel to Starmont in Week 3.
