EDDYVILLE – North Mahaska used a strong defense and passing game to dash past Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Friday, 43-0 in nonconference football. The Warhawks accumulated 291 yards in offense and intercepted five passes including three by senior Asher DeBoef.
North Mahaska’s defense throttled the Rockets in every stat limiting EBF to 54 yards in total offense.
Second year coach Trey Bennett was pleased with the effort but said there was room for improvement.
“I thought we played good tonight, our defense was incredible,” said Bennett. “Asher DeBoef looked amazing at that safety position, three interceptions and played really well. We are stingy on defense but on offense we have some things to clean up. I’m proud of the way we played but we are better than that. And that’s the scary thing to everybody else.”
Bennett’s Warhawks tied a school record with the five interceptions. They did the same to Moravia in 1993 and Cedar Rapids LaSalle in 1996.
North Mahaska’s opening drive went nowhere. EBF took over at their own 15-yard line and was immediately sacked. Rocket quarterback Dalton Brinegar found himself running away from the NM defenders. He also serves as the punter as he moved to punt fell down and the Warhawks took over at the EBF 10 and on the second play Charlie Goemaat slid in for the score. Two minutes later Nunnikhoven drills a 30-yard field goal.
A muffed punt by the Rockets and NM was 10 yards put when Nunnikhoven hit DeBoef for a score and a 16-0 lead after one period. A DeBoef pick at the end of the first set the Warhawks up for a quick score and a 23-0 lead one minute into the second period.
Less than a minute later NM looked to have a touchdown, but a penalty called the ball back and on the next play NM fumbled. Another stop and again NM fumbled. With time running out Wernli was able to snag a pass thrown by DeBoef that was tipped by EBF’s Braden Booy and scampered 53 yards with three seconds left for another score for a 30-0 lead.
“We have some great athletes out there,” said Bennett. “Lucas Nunnikhoven had a good run. Charlie Goemaat just did not get a lot of space, but when he does, he is dangerous. Gage Reis the same way. Hunter Wernli was like a mad man. He made a couple incredible plays with acrobatic catches. When his number was called, he showed up.”
Nunnikhoven threw for 130 yards on 11 tosses. DeBoef was 1-for-4 for 53 yards. Wernli was the leading receiver with 108 yards on four catches with two TDs. DeBoef had four catchers with 40 yards and two TDs. Groom had one catch for 23 yards.
Defensively, the Warhawks recorded eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss. Nunnikhoven had two sacks while Dylan Meland, Reis, Caleb Hol and Trenton DeBruin with one each. Alex Meland led in tackles with six, Dawson DeBoef had 5.5 and Trenton Hol had four.
North Mahaska will host Lynnville-Sully on Friday.
