Chris Lubben's 47-yard interception return for a touchdown broke a 6-6 tie and sent DeWitt Central past Marion, 18-6, Friday night in a Class 3A District 5 football game at Thomas Park.

The loss spoiled Marion's homecoming and put the Indians' playoff hopes in doubt. Marion (2-3, 4-3) has two games remaining. The Indians play at Union next Friday and close out the season at home against district co-leader Maquoketa on Oct. 21.

"We still have a chance, but we have to play better than we are right now,” Marion Coach Tony Perkins said.

Both teams ground out the ball on offense. DeWitt Central (3-2, 3-4) finished with 329 rushing yards and Marion 252. The Indians' Colton Storla rushed for 143 yards.

DeWitt Central used a 12-play, 80-yard drive in the first quarter and took a 6-0 lead on Jake Kagemann's 9-yard run with 3:06 left in the quarter.

Marion tied the game on Cale Cannoy's 72-yard scoring romp with 8:56 left in the second quarter.

“We just put that play in this week,” explained Cannoy.  “Coach thought we could take advantage of my speed and beat teams to the outside.  The line just blocks down, the receiver throws a block and the backs clean up.  It worked.”

DeWitt marched back for a go-ahead score, but was held on downs at the 1-yard line with 1:56 remaining in the first half.

The second half was the same story.  The Sabers started on their own 16 and put together an 11-play drive that stalled inside the Indian 5.

Late in the quarter, the Indians were trying to capitalize following Hunter Banes' seventh interception of the season. But Cannoy was picked off by Lubben, who sprinted 47 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.

Marion fought back. Early in the fourth quarter Storla broke through the Saber defense for a 66-yard run and was brought down at the DeWitt Central 3-yard line.  On the ensuing play, Marion committed a procedure violation and later on third down Cannoy was sacked at the 15.  The Indians’ Ryan Hagen attempted a 32-yard field goal that was blocked.

“Sometimes on offense we invent ways to hurt ourselves,” said Perkins.  “It’s a mental game and we have to stay focused.”

DeWitt Central took over on its own 34 and marched 66 yards.  The drive was highlighted by a 39-yard run by Nick Green and capped off by a 7-yard touchdown run by Lubben.

Chris Keitel carried the ball 17 times for 117 yards for DeWitt. The Sabers had 17 more carries than Marion, eating up yards and time.

“Cannoy making the edge to go 72 yards, and Storla’s 66 yard run were bright spots, but we just don’t seem to have the consistency we need,” said Perkins.

DE WITT CENTRAL 18, MARION 6

DWC        MARION

First Downs        16          9
Rushing            45-329      28-252
Passing            1-3-1         2-6-1
Passing Yards      26         21
Fumbles/Lost       0/0         1/0



DC - Jake Kagemann 9 run (run failed)
M  - Cale Cannoy 72 run (kick blocked)
DC - Lubben 47 interception return (kick failed)
DC - Lubben 7 run (run failed)

Individual Statistics

DeWitt Central

Rushing – Keitel 17-117, Austin Lechtenberg 10-94, Lubben 12-60, N Green 3-55, M Green 3-4.

Passing – N Green 1-3-1-26.

Receiving – Lechtenberg 1-26.


Marion

Rushing – Storla 15-143, Trev Biery 7-52, Cannoy 3-54, Jake McDonald 2-3, Tyler Gunderson 2-0.

Passing – Cannoy 2-6-2-21

Receiving – Gunderson 1- 14, Storla 1-7.