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Strong first half not enough for Houghton; Wykons win 40-22

STAMBAUGH – Things appeared to be going Houghton’s way in the first half of a West-PAC Conference football game at Nelson Field Saturday afternoon.

The Gremlins controlled the ball in the first quarter and were enjoying a 22-12 halftime lead over the West Iron County Wykons.

West Iron, however, wasn’t to be denied at homecoming on this sunny and mild day as it rallied for a 40-22 victory.

Houghton ran 21 offensive plays and limited the Wykons to two in the first 12 minutes.

“Things were looking good,” said Houghton coach Karl Borree. “We moved the ball up and down the field, only they moved the ball in both halves.”

The Gremlins kept the ball for the opening five minutes, 45 seconds and finished the 12-play, 85-yard drive on a 6-yard run up the middle by senior quarterback Jordan Reynolds for an 8-0 lead.

West Iron coughed up the ball after gaining eight yards on its first two plays.

Junior defensive back Elliot Majlessi recovered the fumble on the West Iron 34-yard line and the Gremlins were back in business.

Senior running back Casey Lentowich finished that drive on a 10-yard run around right end on a pitch-out just 11 seconds into the second stanza for a 16-0 cushion.

The Wykons trimmed their deficit to 16-6 on junior QB Neil Tomasoski’s 20-yard keeper to the right side with 7:41 remaining in the second quarter.

Houghton needed just 19 seconds to regain its 16-point advantage. Lentowich returned the kickoff to the West Iron 30. Reynolds then fired a 30-yard aerial to Majlessi on the right side for a 22-6 lead.

West Iron finished the first-half scoring on a 4-yard run up the middle by senior running back Shae Parson, but still trailed 22-12 with 1:20 left before the half.

The Wykons started the third quarter by marching 69 yards in nine plays, shaving their deficit to 22-18 on a 1-yard run to the left side by Parson.

“We knew how important it was to get points and play some defense after second-half kickoff,” said West Iron coach Mike Berutti. “We knew we couldn’t be hesitant in our option coverage. They were doing some things away from the chips and we were able to adjust. We also realized we could move the football. Punching it in to make it 22-18 was real important to us mentally more than anything.”

A short time later, the Wykons blocked a punt and recovered the ball on the Houghton 17.

Junior running back Austin Persson finished the short drive on a 6-yard run around left end, giving the Wykons their first lead at 25-22.

The Wykons extended their lead to 33-22 on a 1-yard run up the middle by junior running back Jayce Brockhagen with 8:28 left in the contest.

Less than a minute later, they finished the scoring on Persson’s 56-yard dash along the left sideline, set up on the previous play by senior defensive back A.J. Weisnicht’s interception.

“They got a couple of their big guys going in the second half,” said Borree. “We have to give them credit. They ran the ball well.”

Houghton finished with 272 yards, including 198 on the ground. Senior running back Austin Goudge led the way with 74 on 17 carries. Reynolds completed 7-of-10 passes for 74 with a touchdown and an interception.

Houghton senior RB Sam Collaer, who played sparingly due to an ankle injury, ran five times for 26.

Reynolds departed with 1:47 left in the contest due to a possible neck injury and appears doubtful for Friday’s game at Eagle River, Wis.

West Iron, which visits Calumet Friday, rushed for all 364 of its yards. Perrson ran seven times for 155.

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