The game came down to one play at the six yard line, but the #3 Indianola football team’s defense held firm as they did all night long to take down #4 Lewis Central 14-9 in a game heard live on 94.3 KNIA.

The two top offenses in class 4A both struggled in the contest, as the Indians scored first on a Kael Kolarik 3-yard rush in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead, answered by a Titans field goal to make the score 7-3 which would hold until halftime. The Indians scored in the third on a Bennett Brueck to Drew Kingery connection to take a 14-3 lead, which would be the score until halfway through the fourth quarter. An interception by Lewis Central led to a Titans touchdown, and a failed extra point made the score 14-9.

After a three-and-out by the Indians offense, the Titans drove down the field to get a first-and-goal situation with just a minute remaining. As time wound down and a third-and-goal situation at the one yard line, a penalty pushed the Titans back to the 6, where two consecutive incomplete passes ended the game. Head coach Eric Kluver tells KNIA Sports the Indianola defense stepped up in a big way.

“They prepared throughout the week, and they knew what was on the line here. We talked about how this is a statement game, even though it’s a non-district game and there is a lot of football yet to be played. This is a statement game, I’m just very happy and there are so many things that happened in those last six minutes that could have went the other way and it didn’t. I’m just so proud of our guys tonight.”

Brueck threw for 251 yards and a touchdown, while Kolarik rushed for 57 yards and a score. Indianola improves to 4-0 on the season, and will have homecoming next week hosting Perry.