Wartburg Knights Close Campaign with Win

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Nov 15, 2009 at 3:54 PM CST

Story Updated: Nov 15, 2009 at 3:54 PM CST

WAVERLY – Wartburg rallied from a pair of 14-point first half deficits to claim a 42-31 Iowa Conference win over Simpson College of Indianola Saturday, Nov. 14. The victory closed the 74th year of Knights’ football at 6-4, marking the 17th straight season of six-or-more victories.

Simpson (3-7 overall, 2-6 IIAC) opened with a strong offensive attack early in the second half. The Storm marched nine plays in 80 yards and five plays in 51 yards to take a 14-0 lead with 5:13 to go in the opening quarter. Wartburg answered back with an 11-play, 75-yard march of its own to close the first stanza with freshman running back Reese Thompson of Van Horne diving in from one yard out.

The visitors came right back going 76 yards in five plays for a 21-7 lead. However, the Knights’ “D” stiffened over the remainder of the game from that point, limiting their guests to only three points and 97 yards of total offense until a 13-play, 65-yard scoring march closed the final at 42-31. On the other side of the ball, the Orange and Black offense reeled off four consecutive touchdown drives, after being down 21-7, and added two more late scores to salt the game away.

Wartburg’s offense, as it has throughout the season, had another sparkling outing. The Knights finished totaling 506 yards with 258 of those coming on the ground. Fellow freshman running back Kyle Winfrey of Richton Park, Ill., led the attack with 146 yards and one touchdown, while Thompson ended with 81 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Through the air, it was a fitting close to senior quarterback Nick Yordi of Solon’s career. He fired for 248 yards and two touchdowns. The program’s career passing yardage and completions leader tied former standout Matt Wheeler’s career touchdown pass mark of 59 with his effort. Sophomore Levi Helbling of Malvern, one of three strong wide outs that will return in 2010 for the Orange and Black, was the top receiver Saturday with five catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, junior defensive back Andrew Creary of Knoxville added to his solid 2009 resume with 11 tackles. Junior linebacker Andy Schmidt of Solon added 10, as did senior defensive back Spencer Policha of Clinton. Policha and fellow senior Brandon Petersen of Atlantic, highlighting Senior Day 2009, each recorded a sack.

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