Spencer, Ia (Northwest Iowa Now) – The Spencer Football team opened up Class 4A District 1 play on Friday Night against Le Mars for Homecoming Week.
It was a rough start for Spencer, turning it over on downs for their first drive. Le Mars capitalized with an 11-play drive where Jordan Kopperud connected with Cristofer Sanchez on a 9-yard Touchdown Pass.
The two teams traded empty drives till late in the 2nd quarter, when Spencer was able to tie the game after a 9-yard touchdown run by Larson Vulk and a successful PAT.
Le Mars would be getting the kick to begin the 2nd half, so they tried to run out the clock on the following drive, but Spencer continued to call timeouts, trying to get one last drive before halftime. Le Mars was able to gain a first down, and then the Bulldogs called a timeout before Kopperud hit Colin Murphy on a quick pass, which the 6-5 Senior ran into the endzone from 60 yards away, giving Le Mars a 14-7 lead at the half.
The Spencer defense came up big in the 3rd quarter, stopping Le Mars despite the Bulldogs getting the football deep in Spencer territory multiple times. The Tiger offense would capitalize on a quick drive of 4 plays that Larson Vulk scored his second Touchdown run on. Spencer lined up to go for 2 after that score but were flagged for a false start. The Tigers brought out the kicking unit, but after a high snap, Vulk corralled the football and ran in in for 2, making the score 15-14 in favor of Spencer.
The Tigers made the lead 8 late in the 3rd quarter when Vulk connected with Nolan Kelley for a 25-yard Touchdown pass.
Le Mars got the score back within 2 after a 2-yard Touchdown run by Joaquin Hernandez, set up by a big pass and catch from Kopperud to Sanchez. When Le Mars lined up for a 2-point conversion, Spencer was flagged for encroachment twice, moving the football within the 1-yard line. The Tiger Defense came up big again though, stonewalling a run up the middle, and keeping Spencer in the lead at 22-20.
After a great kick return on the ensuing kick and a Le Mars penalty for sideline interference on that return, Spencer used the short field to burn some clock and score another Touchdown to go up 29-20.
That score would hold, and Spencer picked up the 9-point win for their 3rd victory on the season.
In the loss, Jordan Kopperud completed 11 of his 23 passes for 240 yards, 2 Touchdowns, and 2 Interceptions while carrying the ball 12 times for 35 yards. Le Mars outgained Spencer, 311-254, but the Bulldogs were penalized 11 times for 100 yards and turned over the football 3 times. Le Mars drops to 2-3 on the year and 0-1 in Class 4A District 1 play. They will be back home next week against West of Sioux City.
Temi Otanyiyi ran the ball 30 times for 125 yards and a Touchdown for Spencer in the win. Larson Vulk had 17 carries for 81 yards and 2 Touchdowns while also completing 2 of his 5 passes for 47 yards and a Touchdown. Spencer is 3-2 now and 1-0 in Class 4A District 1. A Big game with playoff implications awaits Spencer in Fort Dodge next week against the Dodgers.
