Jacob Kopriva’s six-yard touchdown run lifted Pocahontas Area to a 12-6 overtime win at Sioux Central in Week 3 high school football.
After Sioux Central was forced to punt on the game’s first series, Poky traveled 56 yards in nine plays in 4:56. Alex Welander’s two-yard touchdown run made it 6-0, as the ensuing two-point run was unsuccessful. Sioux Central’s defense kept the score 6-0 at the half, thanks in part to a pair of interceptions inside the ten yard line by Trevor Ehlers and Devyn Wilson.
Poky lost a fumble on the opening 2nd half drive, but a ten-play Sioux Central drive was stopped on an interception by Jacob Gerdes. In the 4th quarter, a high snap on a punt attempt gave Sioux Central the ball at the Poky 23 yard line. Seven plays later, the Rebels found the end zone on a four-yard run by Max Adams, but the Indians stopped a two-point conversion rushing attempt and the score remained tied with 6:55 left.
Pocahontas Area’s next possession started at their 33 yard line. The Indians marched into Sioux Central territory, but a 4th and 3 rushing play at the Rebels 26 was stopped with only a two-yard gain with 31 seconds left in regulation. Sioux Central ran out the remainder of regulation on a pair of running plays.
Sioux Central had the ball to start overtime. They gained positive yards on two rushing plays, but a penalty set them back, and two passes from the 11 yard line fell incomplete. Poky’s possession began with a four-yard run by Welander, which set up Kopriva’s game winner.
Pocahontas Area had 262 yards of offense, led by Welander’s 26 carries for 162 yards. Kopriva passed for 51 yards. Blake Roberts had three receptions for 34 yards.
Sioux Central had 141 yards offensively, as Adams and Ethan Mills combined for 121 on the ground.
Pocahontas Area goes to 3-0, and will start district play next week at home against Spirit Lake.
Sioux Central is now 1-2, as they host Sibley Ocheyedan in their district opener.