G-R knocks out New London, end playoff skid

GLADBROOK – Since moving to 8-player, Gladbrook-Reinbeck football hasn’t been able to get over the first-round playoff hump.

That changed on Friday night in the Pit in Gladbrook as the Rebels defeated New London, 46-14, in an 8-player first round game.

The Rebels improved to 8-1 and fulfilled a goal set earlier this season to reach their 10th game of the season, which will be played at Turkey Valley this Friday. 

Austin Vaverka rushed 13 times for 114 yards and Isaac Clark added two touchdowns on 16 rushes for 96 yards, throwing for two touchdowns as well on 10-of-20 passing for 148 yards.

Vaverka and Luke Riffey each caught a touchdown pass from Clark. Riffey also scored twice on a couple short Rebel touchdown runs.

New London gained 291 yards on the ground on Friday but the Rebel defense bent without breaking, picking off New London quarterback Dom Lopez three times - two for Caleb Egesdal, one for Riffey. Isaac Clark made nine total tackles and Vaverka added 8.5 total tackles with one for a loss.

G-R had been knocked out of the playoffs in the first round each year since joining 8-player, including a loss to New London in 2018 – G-R won two “pod” playoff games in 2020 during a COVID-shortened season and were eliminated by Easton Valley in the official first round.

Rushing–Austin Vaverka 13-114; Isaac Clark 16-96, 2 TD; Drew Eilers 6-24; Hudson Clark 3-10; Caleb Egesdal 2-7; Luke Riffey 2-6, 2 TD.

Passing–I. Clark 10-20-0, 148 yards, 2 TD; Eilers 0-1-0, 0 yards.

Receiving–Vaverka 3-59, TD; Riffey 1-51, TD; Eilers 3-21; Egesdal 2-12; H. Clark 1-5.

Tackles (solo-total)–Isaac Clark 7-9; Austin Vaverka 5-8.5; Drew Eilers 6-6; Logan Giesking 5-6; Luke Riffey 3-3; Caleb Egesdal 2-3; Michael Boyd 2-3; Luke Sienknecht 0-2; Henry Mussig 1-1.5; Hudson Clark 1-1. TFL–Vaverka, Eilers, Boyd 1. INT–Egesdal 2, Riffey 1.