Sioux Central runs past Spirit Lake 21-7

Sports Editor

Sioux Central ended a 12-game losing streak and Jeff Tiefenthaler earned career coaching victory No. 100 Friday in Albert City as Sioux Central ran for over 200 yards for the second straight week, beating Spirit Lake 21-7.

"You practice and practice and practice, then you go to battle out there and it's nice to be rewarded. It's a great feeling to have these kids come together as a team and get a win," said Tiefenthaler, whose players gave him a Gatorade bath after the milestone victory was in the books.

"The 100 wins isn't what it's about," Tiefenthaler added. "It's about the feeling these kids will have after being able to win a football game. It's great for these guys to be able to feel that sense of victory. That's what it's all about, and that makes it all worthwhile."

Sioux Central put up 245 rushing yards after a 270-yard performance against Alta in the opener.

Quarterback Trevor Tiefenthaler put the Rebels on his shoulders, helping his team to its first victory in two years with a 151-yard rushing performance.

"When you can get some first downs and shorten the game a little bit, good things can happen," coach Tiefenthaler said. "Last week we gave up the big play, this week we didn't."

Tiefenthaler, who also threw for 40 yards, scored all three of Sioux Central's touchdowns. The senior son of coach Tiefenthaler broke a scoreless tie in the first quarter, reversing his field and sprinting into the end zone from 21 yards out with 23 seconds left in the opening quarter.

Tiefenthaler and wide receiver Adam Ehlers kept the 72-yard drive alive on the sixth play of the series, connecting on a 33-yard pass. Sioux Central's 2-point try failed, leaving the score at 6-0.

Spirit Lake led briefly, 7-6, scoring on a 1-yard run from running back Kyle Erickson with 5:51 left in the first half. Sioux Central answered on its ensuing possession when Tiefenthaler capped an 8-play, 57-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run. Scott Patten caught a pass from Tiefenthaler on the 2-point try, putting Sioux Central up 14-7 with 2:54 left in the second.

Neither team would score again until the final 1:20 when Tiefenthaler broke free for a 59-yard touchdown.

Sioux Central running back Mike Ripke added 81 yards on 15 carries, Patten caught two passes for seven yards.

Spirit Lake gained 194 total yards, 98 coming on the ground. Quarterback Tyler Solsma was 8-of-24 for 96 yards.

"We didn't cover people like we wanted to, but our second half defense was a lot better," Tiefenthaler said. "We've played two pretty good football games back-to-back."

Tiefenthaler led the Rebels with nine tackles. Ripke and Hunter Amundson each had seven.