Denver upends D-NH football

DIKE – Denver football shook up the Class 1A District 3 race with a 30-20 win over Dike-New Hartford on Friday.

The Cyclones, Wolverines and Aplington-Parkersburg are all now tied at 3-1 in district play with one game left to play. All three teams are favored to win and if they do, A-P can clinch the title with a six-points-or-more victory against East Marshall. D-NH is at home against Central Springs; Denver at home against South Hardin. If South Hardin upsets Denver and D-NH and A-P win, D-NH will be district champions with a head-to-head tiebreaker over A-P.

Benton Bixby completed 13 of 25 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns, both to Braxten Johnson who caught five total balls for 114 yards. Micah Walston added 20 carries for 65 yards, subbing in for Jerek Hall, the team’s leading running back out with injury.

Nick Reinicke made 16.5 total tackles defensively for the Wolverines, including one for a loss. Johnny Wenger made three total tackles for loss and Johnson added a defensive grab for an interception on Friday.

The Wolverines led 14-8 at halftime before Denver surged ahead for a 23-14 lead after three quarters. Denver back Ethan Schoville rushed 28 times for 251 yards and three touchdowns.

D-NH stats

Rushing–Micah Walston 20-65, TD; Braxten Johnson 1-2; Gus Varney 2-2; Benton Bixby 6-1.

Passing–Bixby 13-25-4, 203 yards, 2 TD.

Receiving–Johnson 5-114, 2 TD; Jace Hall 4-56; Walker Weedman 1-15; Devon Lotts 1-11; Micah Walston 2-7.

Tackles (solo-total)–Nick Reinicke 14-16.5; Jace Hall 5-5.5; Wil Textor 3-4; Johnny Wenger 4-4; Jack Hoehns 3-3.5; Braxten Johnson 3-3; Trevor Folkerts 2-2; Devon Lotts 2-2; Zachry Adelmund 2-2; Cayden Buskohl 1-1.5; Walker Weedman 1-1. TFL–Wenger 3, Reinicke, Buskohl 1. INT–Johnson.