Thunderbirds win at home

By Holly Neumann

The Iola-Scandinavia Thunderbirds defeated the Manawa Wolves 49-16 Friday, Oct. 16, at Thunderbird Field in Scandinavia.

The T-Birds were the first to strike when Kristian Welch ran the ball in for a touchdown. Kyle Jobke kicked the extra point giving I-S a 7-0 lead in the game.

The T-Birds started the second quarter at the Wolves’ 9-yard line.

QB Cam Gruenwald first went to Caleb Loken who picked up 6 yards and then on a QB keeper ran the ball into the end-zone. Jobke kicked the extra point to widen the gap at 14-0.

The Wolves moved the ball up the field on their next possession. Luke Wilz got the ball to the 12-yard line, followed by Ethan Hass on a 4-yard run.

Brandon Radloff ran the ball in for a touchdown, followed by Wilz on the 2-point conversion, bringing the score to 14-8.

The T-Birds answered with Welch running the ball 51 yards and getting them into scoring position once again. Gruenwald later ran the ball in, followed by Jobke with the extra point putting the T-Birds up 21-8.

Manawa came back fighting and once again moved the ball up the field when Radloff connected with Caden Lick in the end-zone for a touchdown. Zach Kreklow ran in the 2-point conversion, getting the Wolves within 5 points of the T-Birds with a score of 21-16.

The T-Birds ended the scoring for the first half of the game when Caleb Loken ran the ball in for another T-Bird touchdown. With Jobke kicking the extra point, the T-Birds took a 28-16 lead in the game.

Manawa attempted an onside kick to start the second half of the game, only to have it recovered by the Thunderbirds.

On the next play, Welch ran the ball back for a touchdown, followed by a kick from Jobke, giving the T-Birds a 35-16 lead, and the only score in the third quarter.

Welch and Jobke combined for another score early in the fourth quarter, followed by Bryce Huettner and Jobke putting the T-Birds up 49-16, sealing the victory.