The Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Football Team nearly pulled off a double digit comeback in the fourth quarter on Friday in Alleman versus North Polk, but a strong rushing performance pushed the Comets to a 38-37 victory in overtime.
ADM got off to the ideal start they wanted by forcing an early interception by North Polk senior Quarterback James Armstrong, but on the ensuing drive, Tiger senior Reed Obstarczyk fumbled the ball, giving it back to the Comets on their own 11 yard line. However, Armstrong was picked off again, but it resulted in a 5 yard touchdown from senior Jackson Pitzen to make it 7-0 ADM. North Polk responded with a 7 yard touchdown score by junior Running Back Carson Reinhart, who had a big night finishing with 121 yards unofficially.
In the second quarter, Tiger senior QB Hudson Shull ran in from a yard out to extend the lead 14-6, but then the Comets would ultimately score 24 unanswered points to grab a 30-14 advantage in the fourth quarter. During that stretch of play, ADM didn’t help themselves as they fumbled the ball two more times when Shull was stripped as well as Alex Jensen. Facing a 16-point deficit with nine minutes remaining, the outcome wasn’t looking promising for the Tigers, but ADM stayed poised capping off a 89-yard drive with a 4 yard touchdown run by Shull and a successful two point conversion to bring the score 30-22 with five minutes left in the game.
Following that, the Tigers forced the Comets to punt the ball for the very first time with less than three minutes remaining and ADM began on their own 35 yard line with 2:32 on the clock. Shull made some timely plays with his legs to keep the final drive alive concluding with 178 rushing yards, and Obstarczyk punched it across the goal line with 11 seconds to go, and the Tigers trailing 30-28, needing a two point conversion to keep the game going. The second try of the night was good and the score was knotted up at 30-30.
The game went into overtime, where ADM had the first possession, which featured more running from Shull and he dove into the endzone from a yard out and the Tigers taking a 37-30 lead. However, North Polk had an answer with Reinhart who took him a couple carries, but struck pay dirt a yard away to make the score 37-36. The Comets decided to go for a win, and Reinhart was given the ball again to storm in for the 38-37 win.
Armstrong finished the game with 16 completed passes with 208 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, then Reinhart carried the ball 25 times for 121 yards. ADM’s Shull completed nine passes with 11 yards, while adding 178 yards on the ground and captured three rushing touchdowns. Obstarczyk had 29 yards and one touchdown, plus the defensive TD from Pitzen in the first quarter.
North Polk is now 3-0 on the year and will travel to Pella High School this coming Friday, while ADM, who’s 2-1, is celebrating Homecoming and will welcome in Bondurant-Farrar to Adel to cap off a fun week.