HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Maquoketa Valley sails into playoffs

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By Mikaela Reth, Maquoketa Valley junior

DELHI - Maquoketa Valley beat North Cedar, 27-12, last Friday, seizing the Class 1A District 5 championship and finishing the regular season undefeated.

North Cedar started the scoring with a touchdown early in the first quarter. Their extra point, however, fell short.

The first quarter ended with the Knights ahead 6-0.

Maquoketa Valley came back  in the second quarter. Three minutes in, Ben Dzaboff completed a pass to Aaron Dzaboff for a touchdown. The extra point veered slightly to the right of the goal post, tying the score at 6-6.

That is how the first half ended.

After halftime, the Wildcats came on strong. Ryan Parmely rushed past North Cedar's defense for a 7-yard touchdown. Rob Bockenstedt kicked the PAT for a 13-6 Wildcat lead. The two teams pushed each other back and forth throughout the quarter. Maquoketa Valley scored again with just over a minute left when Parmely again rushed the ball into the end zone. Bockenstedt's kick was successful, ending the quarter, 20-6, in favor of the Wildcats.

North Cedar came into the last quarter prepared, scoring right away. The Knights' extra point was good, putting pressure on the Wildcats. The teams battled throughout the rest of the quarter. Parmely broke through the Knights' defense with only a minute left in the game for a touchdown and Bockenstedt scored the PAT,  ending the game at 27-12.

'These guys never quit," Wildcats Coach Wes Wilson said. "North Cedar is a very good football team. Our defense played really well all night after the first drive of the game. They kept North Cedar's offense in check for the most part."

"We made some adjustments at half and challenged the kids to step up. They did and we were able to control the line of scrimmage the second half. We also did a nice job of throwing the football Friday.'

The Wildcats totaled 367 yards of offsene and allowed North Cedar 235 yards. Parmely rushed for 207 of the 367 yards. Ben Dzaboff accounted for 137 of the total with his eight completed passes. Other leaders in rushing yards were Ben Dzaboff with 16 yards and Steve Huber with six. The Wildcats had 230 total rushing yards.

Defensively, tackle leaders were Parmely and John Tanner Hargrafen with 12 apiece. Tyler Yonkovic had seven tackles and Steve Huber six.

Jared Coyle returned two kicks, averaging 12 yards. Aaron Dzaboff returned one kick and ran nine yards with it.

Parmely punted three times, averaging 25 yards per punt.

The Wildcats host  West Branch tonight in a first-round playoff game.