Ipswich/Edmunds Central's defense kept a potentially explosive Langford Area's offense in check for 48 minutes last Saturday evening in Ipswich. The Tigers' D sometimes bent but didn't break, so a 2-0 safety would have been enough for the Tigers. Better yet, though, they got a pair of touchdowns and could have scored even one or two more that were stymied by Tiger turnovers inside the Langford red zone.

And the Tigers shocked the Langford contingent after ending a time-consuming first-quarter drive by the visitors that was stopped on downs near the I/E 20-yard line. What happened was that Tiger sophomore quarterback Ian Beyers and senior Matthew Hettich hooked up for an 80-yard aerial bomb on their first offensive possession of the game with 5:36 remaining in the opening quarter. But the PAT play failed leaving the Tigers potentially vulnerable if the score remained within a possession.

And that it did, 6-0 after a quarter, 6-0 at the half and 6-0 after three quarters. And as you might correctly guess, Langford would start another long final-quarter drive just as it had to open the game. But once again the Tigers' D rose to the occasion. Langford's promising drive was abruptly stopped by an interception and the Tigers would be able to generate an insurance TD drive of their own, capped by a Kaden Hix touchdown carry. The welcomed two-point conversion play was a Beyers pass to Carson Gohl for a 14-0 lead with the scoreboard clock definitely favoring the Tigers at this juncture of the contest.

The Tigers gained 189 yards through the air, courtesy of Beyers' 9-12 evening. And they rushed for 183 yards on 35 carries for a really balanced attack. The leading rusher was Gohl with 80 yards on 20 carries and Hix was next with 78 yards on eight tries, including that TD run. And featuring that touchdown grab, Matthew Hettich would end up with 111 receiving yards on two catches. Josh McQuarie was next with two catches, as well, for 31 aerial yards.

Ipswich/Edmunds Central totaled 85 tackles, including 59 solo tackles and 26 assisted. As you might think, it takes quite a team effort when you pitch a shutout in any sport. For instance, McQuarie finished with 15 solo tackles and four assists to lead the Tigers' defensive effort. And Luke Peterson was next with 12 solos and one assist. Matthew Hettich had 10 tackles, all solo and Hix also finished with 10 total tackles, six solo and four assisted. Zach Geditz registered Ipswich's lone sack of the night.

Ipswich/EC, now 3-0, will next take on another undefeated LRC rival, Warner on its home turf this Friday. "Yes, we are excited for this opportunity," said I/EC head coach Brian Hogie. And Langford will attempt to regroup after absorbing its first loss of the season.