Wahlert stops CC in the first round of state playoffs, 24-7

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

DUBUQUE — What has been an unusual season amid an unusual epoch in world history came to an end for the Charles City Comets, who lost their first-round “POD” Class 3A playoff game to hosting Wahlert Catholic 24-7 last Friday.

The Golden Eagles advance to play Decorah in Decorah this Friday (Oct. 23) in the second round of Iowa’s all inclusive football postseason. The Vikings received a bye in the first round.

As for the Comets, they finished the season winless (0-6) though you can argue they played their best game of the year against the Golden Eagles.

Offensively, the Comets were able to move the ball consistently only to be plagued by several crucial turnovers that spoiled sustained drives. In the first half alone, Charles City moved the sticks (for first downs) 10 times yet were still held scoreless.

The Comets’ defense also had one of its better nights, limiting Wahlert with consecutive “three-and-outs” in the first quarter, and unleashing clutch defensive plays to thwart scoring threats in the second half.

“We play in one of the toughest districts in the state, but we thought we had a good draw (with Wahlert Catholic),” Charles City head coach Darren Bohlen said after the game. “We were able to move the ball effectively against them, and a lot of their offense came on big plays.”

Played in Loras College’s “Rock Pit” — a stadium carved out of the limestone adjacent to the Mississippi River — the first-round matchup was one of the hardest hitting games the Comets played in this season.

Charles City was giving as much as it was taking as both teams battled to a scoreless tie through the first 12 minutes.

Golden Eagles’ leading rusher Gabe Anstoetter found a seam in the line and attacked the open field for a 30-yard touchdown run to open the scoring early in the second quarter.

Charles City responded with a drive of its own and had a first-and-goal at the Golden Eagle 2-yard line. But unfortunately for the Comets, deep in the red zone continued to be the “danger zone” when it comes to heart-wrenching turnovers as a fumbled exchange left Charles City with nothing.

Wahlert followed with a 97-yard scoring drive capped with a 19-yard halfback pass from Jake Brosius to Seamus Crahan.

Another Charles City turnover, this one deep in Comet territory, seemed to extinguish all hope of a second-half comeback. But the Comets’ defense managed to push the Golden Eagles back and hold them to a Nathan Donovan 30-yard field goal.

Then with some hard running by Trever Heitz, and a 3-yard TD run from Jeremiah Chapman, the Comets got on the board to make the score 17-7 with a little less than 15 minutes remaining in regulation.

That’s as close as Charles City got as Anstoetter’s second TD of the night followed by Donovan’s third PAT kick capped the scoring with 10:17 left in the fourth quarter.

Wahlert sophomore Ryan Brosius led all rushers with 131 yards on eight carries; Ansteotter had 98 yards on 17 carries and 37 receiving yards on two catches.

Charles City’s all-time leading rusher Heitz ended his Comet career with a season-high 98 yards on 21 carries.

Chapman, who bravely managed to shake off a “decleating” open-field tackle from Colin Warthan during a kickoff return — it was the type of hit YouTube glorifies in their odes to the NFL’s rough and tumble years — had two catches for 57 yards and rushed for 30 yards on six carries.

Cael Bohlen and Chase Crooks, both returning for the Comets after being out during several junctures of the season due to injuries, respectively recorded 10 and 7 solo tackles.

Comet junior Tino Tamayo had two tackles for losses and averaged more than 40 yards per punt on four punts.

Comet junior Mario Hoefer, once again showing his Lynn Swann-like concentration during jump-ball long passes, had an interception in the end zone to foil a Golden Eagle scoring threat.

Bohlen had high hopes for his team going into the season while citing the Comets’ experience and athleticism. But after losing a hard-fought opener to New Hampton, the Comets were shut down for two weeks due to COVID-19 exposure.

“I feel bad for the seniors who had this type of season happen to them in their final year,” Bohlen said. “It was hard to shut down and then play West Delaware — which I believe is one of the best teams in the state — your first game back. But it is what it is.”

WAHLERT CATHOLIC 24, CHARLES CITY 7

Scoring By Quarters

CC 0 0 7 0 — 7

WC 0 14 3 7 — 24

Scoring Summary

WC — Gabe Anstoetter 30-yard run (Nathan Donovan kick) 11:16 2nd, 7-0

WC — Seamus Crahan 19-yard pass from Jake Brosius (Donovan kick) 6:32 2nd, 14-0

WC — Donovan 30-yard field goal 6:16 3rd, 17-0

CC — Jeremiah Chapman 3-yard run (Alec Staudt kick) 2:46 3rd, 17-7

WC — Anstoetter 4-yard run (Donovan kick) 10:17 4th, 24-7