Simpson overpowered by Central

PELLA, Iowa – Leveraging a dominant first half and relentless defense, Central handed Simpson a 59-14 defeat in Pella. 

The Dutch (4-1, 2-1 A-R-C) took control early, scoring on every first-half possession and forcing three turnovers to build a 45-0 lead by halftime. Jase Grunder's third touchdown of the day extended Central's lead to 52 before Cole Staska and Noah Cracraft found the endzone for the Storm (2-3, 1-2 A-R-C). Central closed out the game with a six-yard touchdown rush by Collin Swantz.

KEY MOMENTS FOR SIMPSON

• Simpson's offense opened the second half with a strong 9-play, 70-yard drive that culminated with an eight-yard touchdown catch by Cole Staska. J Jensen III went 4-for-5 on the drive, highlighted by a 33-yard pass to Noah Cracraft.
• Although Simpson came up empty on its next possession, freshman Tanner Philott launched a 78-yard punt - the second-longest in Simpson history - that pinned Central back at its own one-yard line.
• Cracraft added another touchdown for the Storm with 12:24 left in the game, continuing his streak of scoring in every game this season. A 27-yard catch by Staska helped set up the play.

TOP PERFORMERS

• Tanner Philpott: 6 punts, 233 yards, 2 IN20
• Payton Betts: 14 tackles (6 solo, 1 TFL)
• Jerrell Carter Jr.: 7 tackles
• Mason Little: 6 tackles (1 TFL), 0.5 sack
• CJ Hangartner: 6 tackles, 1 QBH
• J Jensen III: 18-for-29, 205 yards, 2 TD
• Cole Staska: 8 rec, 103 yards, 1 TD
• Noah Cracraft: 5 rec, 85 yards, 1 TD

NOTES

• Tanner Philott's 78-yard punt in the third quarter is the second-longest in school history, trailing only Roger Thompson's 93-yard punt from 1968.
• Central compiled 316 rushing yards on 53 carries, while Simpson was held to just 13 yards on 22 attempts.
• Payton Betts led the defense with 14 tackles, a career-high and the most in a single game for a Storm defender this season. Jerrell Carter Jr. also notched a new career-high with seven stops.
• J Jensen III threw his 600th completion and surpassed 7,000 career passing yards.
• With his eighth receiving touchdown of the season, Noah Cracraft is halfway to the single-season record of 16 set by Sam Bartlett in 2019.

UP NEXT
The Storm welcome Nebraska Wesleyan for their Homecoming game next Saturday, Oct. 12, at Buxton Stadium. The Prairie Wolves (2-2, 1-1 A-R-C) overcame a 21-7 halftime deficit to beat Buena Vista 34-21 today in Lincoln.