Defensive stand leads to Lisbon's first state title

CEDAR FALLS - Skylar Ellerbach picked a perfect time for his first career interception.

The Lisbon senior snagged an Eric Cox pass at the goal line, ending a West Hancock's late threat and nearly securing the Lions' first state football title in school history. Top-ranked Lisbon ran out the remaining 5:14 for a 14-12 victory over the second-ranked Eagles.

The Eagles threatened to gain the lead, driving to the Lisbon 5-yard line. Ellerbach then came through with his biggest defensive play in high school, returning it to the 6-yard line.

"I was like I have to do this," Ellerbach said. "I caught it and that just lifted a weight off my shoulders. It felt amazing."

Ellerbach placed that weight on his own shoulders, helping West Hancock extend its drive four plays earlier. Ellerbach ran into a receiver on 4th-and-7 from the 14, defending a pass in the end zone. The penalty resulted in a 1st-and-goal from the Lisbon 7.

"That was my fault," Ellerbach said. "I didn't look back at the ball.”

Ellerbach went from goat to gamer in a short amount of time. When he got up from the 6-yard line after his short return, Lisbon was a few first downs away from its first football championship and unbeaten season.

“That's a good redemption for him," Allison said. "He was probably feeling low and we stuffed them on the run and he made a play on the pass."

The Lions (14-0) rallied; allowing only two yards on three plays leading up to Ellerbach's interception. The close-knit group has made a habit of picking each other up throughout the season and bouncing back after bad plays.

"Our line picked it up after that penalty,” Ellerbach said. “I'm thankful for our line. Our big guys are the best."

The Lions called a timeout before the 4th-down stand. Assistant coach Matt Haddy asked for it to clarify assignments. They were aware the game hung in the balance of that play.

"I just kept yelling 'gut check.' We've wanted this the entire year and this is what we're going to get," senior lineman Tyler Smith said. "We came out and got that pick."

The team has strong unity and camaraderie, which were key in the final plays on defense.

"We rely on every single one on this team from the line to the backs and wide receivers," said Smith, who led the Lions with eight solo tackles. "We have chemistry. We've been together the chemistry is absolutely amazing."

Lisbon Coach Kent Allison said the resiliency shown on that final defensive series, which last 16 plays and 7 minutes, 44 seconds, stems from how much they care for each other.

"I think that's a big thing,” Allison said. “When they care for each other, they believe in what they're doing. They rally around the cause."

The Eagles (12-2) had their way with the Lions up front. They amassed 235 rushing yards with a 19-12 advantage in first downs. It didn't help that their kicker Geraldo Ibarra was carted off the field with a broken right leg suffered on a blocked PAT in the second quarter.

Although they converted 8-of-14 third down plays and 1-of-4 on fourth down, West Hancock Coach Bob Sanger said the Eagles were their own worst enemy.

"I think it was a matter of stopping ourselves a lot of times," said Sanger, who said the Eagles would have attempted a field goal instead of going on fourth down, if Ibarra was available.

The way it worked out Ellerbach's interception will provide some lasting memories for his entire team and its community.

"It's fantastic to be able to share this memory with all these guys," Ellerbach said. "I'm guessing a few years from now we're still going to be talking about this in this small town."