Comets conclude season against Go-Hawks

COMET FOOTBALL: WAVERLY-SHELL ROCK 35, CHARLES CITY 0

Comets conclude season against Go-Hawks

Players push through adversity, look to underclassmen

Staff report

In a season that was riddled with injuries and illnesses, the final loss on Friday night shut the door on the Comets season, a 35-0 defeat to Waverly-Shell Rock.

Head coach Darren Bohlen said the team came into the seasons with a lot of high expectations. The Comets returned their entire starting offensive line, had senior Bryce Foxen in the backfield and a fresh young arm behind Drew Mitchell.

But with injuries to Brody Tupy, Mason Meyer and Foxen, the adversity put a damper on the Comets’ season.

“We’re not going to measure our season’s success by our record,” Bohlen said. “We’re measuring it by how these guys responded to that adversity.”

The Comets earned key wins coming down the stretch against Garner-Hayfield and at Decorah, to keep the season alive.

But the obstacles were too much to overcome. After Friday night’s game, Bohlen said he thanked the seniors for their years of experience, leadership and effort, but also looked to the underclassmen.

“We talked about what these guys are going to have to do to step up. And we all know that starts in the weight room in the offseason,” Bohlen said.

The Comets will lose key position players like Tupy, Foxen, Shane Feller and Brandon Childs.

But Charles City will also have an experienced field general coming back in Mitchell, who started a majority of the games this season for the Comets.

With a wide receiver in Jaden Foster, the Comets can continue to be an offensive threat next year.

“We told them to keep their heads held high,” Bohlen said. “They persevered through a season with a lot of injuries and illnesses. And we got some big, key wins through that. And that’s pretty awesome.”

Mitchell was 5-for-20 with 56 yards passing Friday night. Foster pulled in one catch for seven yards; Feller with one catch for 17 yards.

Junior Alex Kohler rushed three times for 28 yards, leading the Comets in rushing yards Friday night.