A game-winning 51-yard field goal by Grinnell's Nate Criswell is highlighted in this series of photos. Criswell, No. 7, watches as his his kick heads towards the goal post. Holder and backup quarterback Cyle Jay, No. 6, reacts to what he sees as a game-winning kick splits the posts.
• A 51-yard scoring run by Ferch helped Grinnell come back from 14 point deficit to stay unbeaten
It was wet from a brief rain, getting a little colder and dark. What better time to kick a game-winning 51-yard field goal with 52 seconds to spare on the clock setting a school record in the process.
It didn’t seem to bother Grinnell’s Nate Criswell as his kick gave the Tigers a 31-28 district win over the Washington Demons, keeping them undefeated. They are also ranked No. 8 by the Des Moines Register.
Criswell’s 51-yarder is currently the longest field goal of the 2010 season. According to the Iowa High School Athletic Association, a 63-yard field goal kicked in 1997 is the state record.
The Grinnell Tiger offense had already battled back from a 14-0 deficit to take a 28-14 lead, only to see the Demons score twice in the fourth period to knot the game at 28-28.
With not more than a minute or two left in the game, the Tiger offense sputtered, but was assisted by a pass interference call on Washington, setting up the game winning kick.
“We knew that Nate Criswell had a tremendous leg,” said Tiger Head Coach Jim Dunne. “And he proved it.”
The win sets up a big district road game on Friday, Sept. 17, at 7:30 p.m. against No. 2 Williamsburg, 48-0 winners over Mt. Vernon.
Down 14-0 in the first period, the Tigers weren’t able to get on the board until the second quarter when Jordan Ferch scored the first of his three TDs on the night with a 4-yard run. A missed extra point and the Tigers were down 14-6.
A 51-yard touchdown jaunt by Ferch a few minutes later got them within two. His two-point run knotted the game at 14-14.
Ferch scored again in the second with less than a minute until halftime on a 6-yard run, giving Grinnell a 21-14 lead.
In the third period Tiger Sam Shill bolted in from the 5-yard line and the Tigers were ahead 28-14.
Both teams started sputtering a little in the third but the Demons found their mark in the fourth, scoring two TDs to knot the game 28-28.
That’s when things got interesting.
Grinnell got the ball on a short kick in fairly good field position. A short gain was cancelled by a 5-yard penalty for illegal motion.
On the next play the Demons were called for pass interference giving the Tigers a first down.
Three running plays by Shill and Ferch put Grinnell near midfield.
Two incomplete passes and a 4-yard pass reception by Dillon Gretzky gave the Tigers the ball on the 51.
That’s when Criswell came in for his game winning kick.
“It was an outstanding football game and we were fortunate to come out with the win,” Dunne said.
Statistically, the game was as even as the score with the Demons getting the edge in yardage.
Grinnell was led by Ferch with 154 yards on 24 attempts and three touchdowns.
Washington’s Tyler Jaspering had 146 yards on 24 attempts.
In the air, Demon quarterback threw seven passes for 105 yards. Grinnell’s Trent Baker had three completions for 15 yards.
Offensively, Washington had 356 total yards to 207 for Grinnell.
On defense, Jordan Van Ersvelde led the way with seven solo tackles and seven assists.
He was followed by Wolfgang Strovers with six solo tackles and seven assists, including a quarterback sack.
Sam Shill also had a quarterback sack in five solo tackles.
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