The Gehlen Catholic football team kept their postseason hopes alive with a one-point victory over Sibley-Ocheyedan on Friday night by the score of 21-20.
The game came down to some crucial plays at every juncture leading to a Gehlen touchdown within a minute to go that ultimately won them the game. Gehlen Catholic head coach Jeremy Schindler says playing in a game like this tests the team really well.
The first four games of the year, the Jays were successful on the ground with Kale Pearson. He ran for over 170 yards per game in the first half of the year and has now only run for 43 yards a game over the last two. That has opened the opportunity for Cole McCarty to lead the running attack, and he did that to the tune of 158 yards and a rushing touchdown against the Generals.
The Jays got a big boost from Brandt Klein who replaced the sick Landen Reuter on offense and defense. Klein made his presence felt with a big receiving touchdown and a pair of interceptions. His last interception sealed the game with less than 30 seconds left. Coach Schindler says he is the embodiment of the “next man up” mentality.
Gehlen Catholic put themselves back in playoff contention with the win over Sibley-Ocheyedan now putting them at 2-2 in the district. Gehlen finishes the regular season with a contest at home vs South O’Brien and at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn. The South O’Brien contest will follow all the homecoming festivities, and Coach Schindler wants to make sure his guys stay focused this week.
Kickoff between the Jays and Wolverines will be at 7:00 PM at Jim Lorenzen Field.
