A wild ending to the first half saw the Indians score twice in the final minute to take a 28-26 halftime advantage, but couldn’t hold on as Waukee scored 24 unanswered in the second half to end the Indians season 50-28 as heard live on 94.3 KNIA.

The Warriors struck first but had an extra point blocked to take a 6-0 lead, but the Indians answered immediately on a 67-yard CJ Kuehl to Kael Kolarik touchdown pass, taking a 7-6 lead. Waukee blocked an Indians punt and recovered the ball in the endzone taking a 13-7 lead, when the Indians had to answer again with a Kael Kolarik 1-yard rushing touchdown to take a 14-13 lead in the second quarter.

Consecutive turnovers led to a pair of Waukee touchdowns as the Warriors started to take control with a 26-14 advantage with just three minutes to go in the first half, but an Indians drive culminated in a 26 yard touchdown pass from Kuehl to Mark Pepper, then on Waukee’s next play they fumbled the ball with 16 seconds to go which the Indians recovered at the 30 yard line. As time ran down, a pass intended for John McGinnis went off his hands, but was caught in the end zone by Colton Gordon to give the Indians the advantage.

The second half was all Waukee however, scoring 24 unanswered all on the ground to grind out the victory, while the Indians offense could not replicate their first half success.
Indians head coach Eric Kluver tells KNIA Sports the Indians showed they belonged with how they competed.

“I’m just really proud of our football team and the guys we have in our locker room. They did a great job preparing all week in their mindset and approach to this football game. They knew what they were going up against a really talented football team. Anyone who was able to listen or watch that football game, that first half was just back and forth, two really good teams throwing haymakers.”

The Indians end the season with a 4-5 record, and graduate 16 seniors.