Once more with Scheel-ing

By JIM NELSON, jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com

LA PORTE CITY - Jay Scheel accounted for all three of unranked Union of La Porte City's touchdowns as the Knights upset eighth-ranked Maquoketa Monday in a Class 3A quarterfinal, 21-13.

Scheel returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown, ran 76 for another and fired a 4-yard touchdown pass to Bradley Gallup.

He finished the night with 158 rushing yards on 11 carries and was 8 of 12 passing for 70 yards.

"I don't know how to explain it ... I'm so emotional right now," said Scheel, a sophomore. "Nobody expected us to get to the UNI-Dome and we just did it."

Maquoketa outgained Union, 437 to 286, but the Cardinals turned the ball over three times inside the Knight 30, twice inside the 10.

Craig Johnson rushed for 110 yards on 20 carries for Maquoketa, while quarterback Chase Coakley threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns.

Maquoketa held Union star Wes Burnside to 46 yards on 19 carries, but couldn't contain Scheel.

"He's a special athlete who can do special things out there on the field," Union head coach Joe Hadachek said.