The Indianola football team couldn’t hold on to their two-score halftime lead as they fell to undefeated North Polk on Friday night 22-21. The Indians scored first after a 57-yard Asher Brueck to Parker Kaufman connection set up a three-yard touchdown rush from Jake Pontier, only to see the Comets answer with a touchdown and two-point conversion to lead 8-7. Indianola dominated the rest of the first half however, allowing only 45 North Polk yards of total offense as Pontier found the endzone again on the ground and another through the air from Brueck as the Indians led 21-8 at halftime.

The Comets scored on the first play of the third quarter, then after Indianola found no offensive groove, scored again to take a 22-21 lead, holding Indianola to just six plays and nine total yards in the third quarter heading into the fourth. Neither team found the end zone despite the Indianola defense making multiple clutch stops.

Indianola head coach Eric Kluver tells KNIA Sports he was impressed with the team’s effort as they fought all the way to the end, but they have to continue to find a way to put together 48 minutes of football, not just a half and hope it’s enough.

Pontier led Indianola with 106 yards on the ground and three total scores. Indianola is now 4-3 on the season, with the three losses by a combined four points, and will play a must-win game at ADM on Friday.