By Marissa VanWingen, The Times Citizen
In the home finale for Ellsworth Community College, top ranked Iowa Western Community College handed the Panthers their ninth loss of the season, 59-10. The win also secured the Reivers their 14th Iowa Community College Conference, Region XI title in 16 years.
On the first drive of the game, quarterback Hunter Dekkers completed three of his four attempts, including a 15-yard touchdown to Fresh Walters. Neither team recorded a first down on the next two drives and the second ECC (1-9) offensive possession ended in a turnover. The Reivers (9-1) had a short field and Trevor Burnett ran all 35 yards of the turf, including a 27-yard scamper for a touchdown, to put the visitors up 14-0.
Still in the first stanza, Dekkers hit his favorite target, Walters, three more times and two of them went for scores. After going up 21-0, ECC fumbled the kickoff and it was recovered by Iowa Western, setting up first and goal. Just three plays were needed for the visitors to record their fourth touchdown of the quarter.
Before coming out, Dekkers threw one more touchdown pass, a 20-yard completion to Jaivyn Moore to go up 35-0.
The backup quarterback, Nolan Geislinger, went 6-11 for 76 yards and two touchdowns in the second stanza as Iowa Western sailed into the break on top 49-0.
The Panthers had just three first downs in the opening half, but finally broke free in the third quarter. Coming out of the break, ECC got the ball to start the second half. Calvin Swinney had an 11-yard rush and then gained eight yards for second and two on their own 44. Kellen Cockrell then hit Nigel Cheeks for the 56-yard score and with the extra point, the hosts trailed 49-7.
The Panthers moved the ball better in the second half with eight first downs but once again struggled to finish drives. The hosts did score in the fourth frame. Starting at their own 34 yard line, ECC used 13 plays to go 38 yards but stalled out on the Reiver 28. Nolan Mickelson hit a 45-yard field goal to make it 49-10. Iowa Western then scored 10 more points before the final buzzer.
Out of the five players that threw a pass for the Panthers, Cockrell was 4-12 for 89 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Six different players carried the ball, led by Swinney with 63 yards and Cheeks for 61. Cheeks was the leading receiver with two catches for 68 yards and the score.
The season ends on the road for ECC at Independence Community College (2-8) with a 1 p.m. kick on Saturday.
59 10
Saturday at Cadet Field
IWCC: 28| 21| 0| 10 – 59
ECC: 0| 0| 7| 3 – 10
Scoring Summary:
First Quarter:
IW: 12:54 Hunter Dekkers 15 yd pass to Fresh Walters (PAT)
IW: 8:24 Trevor Burnett 27 yd run (PAT)
IW: 4:35 Dekkers 10 yd pass to Walters (PAT)
IW: 3:34 Dekkers 11 yd pass to Walters (PAT)
Second Quarter:
IW: 14:50 Dekkers 20 yd pass to Jaivyn Moore (PAT)
IW: 3:40 Nolan Geislinger 8 yd pass to Javohn Thomas (PAT)
IW: 0:29 Geislinger 26 yd pass to Jackson Naeve (PAT)
Third Quarter:
ECC: 14:10 Kellen Cockrell 56 yd pass to Nigel Cheeks (PAT)
Fourth Quarter:
ECC: 11:30 Nolan Michelson 45 yd field goal
IW: 7:55 Max Bartachek 22 yd field goal
IW: 6:46 Makelle Taylor 52 yd run (PAT)
ECC Stats:
Passing: Kellen Cockrell 4-12 89 yds, TD, INT; Gabriel Robinson 3-5 15 yds, INT; Ryan Sinnott 1-1 1 yd; Shane Helmick 0-1; Steven Werking 1-1 -4 yds.
Rushing: Calvin Swinney 18-63 yds; Nigel Cheeks 13-61 yds; Cockrell 6-13 yds; Robinson 8-11 yds; Werking 2-(-2) yds; Sinnott 1-(-12) yds.
Receiving: Cheeks 2-68 yds, TD; Amir Nixon 1-18 yds; Troy Werking 1-9 yds; Kacen Boyer 1-6 yds; Helmick 2-3 yds; Caliel Long 1-1 yds; Swinney 1-(-4) yds.
Defense: Adrian Palos 8; Stephen Dorsey 5; Josh Eberhart 5; Long 4.