Midway Spoils Wartburg’s Homecoming 27-26

By Terry Futrell

With both the Wartburg Central Bulldogs and the Midway Green Wave having momentum from dominating victories over Oakdale and Cosby the previous week, there was uncertainty about which team would emerge victorious as they faced each other Friday evening in Wartburg. It took 48 minutes of hard-nosed, classic football to answer that question as Midway took the lead with 2:27 remaining and held on to defeat Wartburg 27-26.

Midway won the toss and elected to receive, but went 3-and-out on their first drive. Wartburg began their drive at their own 20-yard line and quickly moved downfield in 10 plays to score. Quarterback Tyler Davis completed 5 of 7 passes for 80 yards on the drive. It was beginning to look like the Bulldogs would have their way with the Greenwave.

The Greenwave quickly dispelled that notion as they drove from their own 42-yard line to the Wartburg 32-yard line in six plays, including 16 yards rushing by Burton and a 15-yard pass from Emmitt Hegland to Ryan Clark. The drive ended with two incompletions and the Bulldogs took over at their own 32-yard line.

Tyler Davis connected with Michael Davis on a 12-yard pass. Midway then tackled Jeremiah Davis for a 7-yard loss after a pass completion. The Bulldogs could advance no more and were forced to punt.

The snap went over the punter’s head and was recovered by Midway’s Burton who returned the fumble to the Wartburg 6-yard line. In two plays, Burton ran into the end zone for a Greenwave touchdown. The extra point attempt failed and Wartburg led 7-6.

Wartburg responded with an 8-play drive in which Tyler Davis ran for 23 yards and completed 5 of 5 passes, with the Bulldogs second touchdown coming on a 3-yard pass to Jeremiah Davis. The Bulldogs led 13-6 with 8:49 in the second quarter.

Midway immediately responded by returning the ensuing kickoff 42 yards to begin their next drive at the Wartburg 40-yard line. After three running plays by Burton that moved the ball to the 24-yard line, Hegland ran around the right side for 24 yards and the Greenwave’s second touchdown. Burton kicked the point after and the score was tied 13-13 with 6:44 on the clock.

Not to be outdone, Bulldog Saylor Jones returned the kickoff 23 yards to the Wartburg 43. Tyler Davis’ pass was tipped into the hands of Caleb McCarty for 39 yards to the Greenwave 18-yard line. A penalty moved the ball back to the 23-yard line. Davis found Colby Justes in the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown pass. Ethan Stedam kicked the extra point and the Bulldogs led once again 20-13 with 3:47 left in the half.

Midway’s Burton returned the kickoff 36 yards to the Wartburg 39-yard line. The ensuing snap went over Hegland’s head – Midway recovered for a 25-yard loss. After an incompletion and 2-yard run by Lucas Goldschmitt, Midway was forced to punt.

Wartburg’s Jeremiah Davis returned the punt 22 yards to the Midway 38-yard line. A holding penalty on the return moved the ball back to the Wartburg 24-yard line. A 7-yard completion to Justes failed to move the chains and Wartburg was forced to punt.

Ryan Clark took the punt on the Midway 35-yard line and returned it to the 48. Runs by Hegland and Goldschmitt moved the ball to the 22-yard line. Hegland hit Ryan Clark in the end zone for a Greenwave touchdown. Hegland ran for the 2-point conversion and put Midway ahead 21-20 at the half.

Wartburg began their first drive of the second half at their own 46-yard line. After completions of 17 yards to Justes and 20 yards to Jeremiah Davis, Saylor Jones scored for the Bulldogs from four yards out. The 2-point conversion failed and Wartburg led 26-21 with 10:05 to go in the third.

Beginning at their own 27-yard line, the Greenwave steadily moved downfield by mostly running the ball. With the ball on the Wartburg 8-yard line and threatening to score, a Hegland pass was tipped high in the air and intercepted by Wartburg’s Chris Flowers at the 3-yard line.

Wartburg put together a 13-play drive that ended at the Midway 30-yard line where the Greenwave took over. Midway failed to move the ball and had to punt. Wartburg was also unable to move the ball and punted.

After a short punt, Midway began their drive at the Wartburg 48-yard line. Five rushes by Goldschmitt and a pass interference call against Wartburg moved the ball to the Wartburg 2-yard line. Hegland ran the ball in for a touchdown, giving Midway a 27-26 lead with 2:27 remaining.

Wartburg had one last opportunity, beginning their drive at their own 46. The Bulldogs drove to the Midway 19-yard line, highlighted by a 22-yard run by Jeremiah Davis. The Greenwave defense buckled down and Tyler Davis threw three incompletions.

Midway took over on downs and drove to the Wartburg 38-yard line with Goldschmitt running the ball. With seconds remaining, Hegland took a knee and the Greenwave gained a hard-earned 27-26 victory over the Bulldogs.

For the Bulldogs, Tyler Davis completed 24 of 39 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Midway’s Hegland completed three of 10 passes for 49 yards and one touchdown with one interception.

Leading receivers for Wartburg were Colby Justes with five catches for 60 yards and one touchdown, Caleb McCarty with five catches for 94 yards, and Jeremiah Davis with five catches for 22 yards and one touchdown. Midway’s Ryan Clark caught three passes for 49 yards and one touchdown.

Midway’s leading rusher was Lucas Goldschmitt who carried 22 times for 127 yards. Andrew Burton rushed nine times for 41 yards and one touchdown. Emmitt Hegland ran eight times for 57 yards and two touchdowns.

Quarterback Tyler Davis was Wartburg’s leading rusher with eight carries for 49 yards. Other Bulldog rushers included Jeremiah Davis with two carries for 24 yards, Michael Davis with four carries for 10 yards, and Saylor Jones with three carries for three yards and one touchdown.

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