Waukon football team overcomes slow start to open District 4 play with 40-12 win over Monticello
Air acrobatics ... Waukon football senior Michael Sweeney fights off a Monticello defender to latch on to this reception for an Indian first down in their 40-12 home victory over the visiting Panthers Friday, September 21. Sweeney made several spectacular catches in hauling in six total receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown in the Indian victory. View and find out how to purchase this photo and many more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this website.
Even though the start to the start of Class 2A District 4 play for the Waukon football team proved to be somewhat of a challenge, perhaps that start to the grid Tribe’s Friday, September 21 home game against Monticello proved to be just what the grid Tribe needed in ultimately getting its District 4 season off to a successful start with a 40-12 victory. The game’s first exchange of possessions saw the Indians give up a long scoring drive downfield followed by an immediate turnover for an early 6-0 hole that threatened to grow bigger, but the Indians ultimately recovered on both sides of the football to rattle off a 34-0 run over the next two quarters’ time to begin their District 4 campaign with a convincing victory.
“Nothing in particular was said, other than to point out some assignment errors that allowed some of Monticello’s early success,” Waukon football coach Chad Beermann said about his team’s ominous start to the ballgame. “The fumble came at a dangerous time, but the kids did respond and came up with a big stop.”
That Indian recovery saw the Tribe take some body blows in giving up nearly 200 yards and both Monticello touchdowns through an air attack that actually only completed less than half its passes and surrendered just as many interceptions as it racked up in scores. But the Indian defensive effort also held District 4’s leading rusher, senior Lake Stahlberg, to just about half of his per game average so far this season in allowing him just 73 yards and no additions to his district-leading nine rushing touchdowns on 19 carries while giving up just 93 total yards on the ground.
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