‘Dogs end season with playoff loss at Marion
- November 1, 2014
Waterloo running back Rick Wiegand stretches for a first down in the first quarter against Marion. (Greg Stanek photo)
The playoff drought continues for the Waterloo High School football program.
The Bulldogs rolled into Saturday’s first round IHSA Class 5A playoff game against Marion with hopes of ending 20 years of postseason frustration. The last playoff win for Waterloo came during the 1994 season when it was in Class 3A.
Unfortunately, it was just not to be on this day. The Bulldogs fell 41-7 to Marion for a disappointing end to a 6-4 season.
Waterloo started the game with the ball, but could not get anything going and were forced to punt. Marion returned the punt all the way to Waterloo’s 1-yard line, scoring on the very next play to take an early lead. The Wildcats went for the two-point conversion and were successful to go up 8-0.
Waterloo got on the board late in the first quarter. After a pass interference call moved them to the Marion 15, Rick Wiegand ran to the 5, giving the ‘Dogs a first and goal. Sophomore quarterback Austin Patton, filling in for Aaron Laskowski — who missed the game due to a concussion suffered last week — scored from one yard out. Ryan Aycock added the extra point and the ‘Dogs trailed 8-7.
Waterloo’s defense stepped up and shut down Marion, forcing a punt that was partially blocked by Kory Schaefer and Waterloo had the ball at the 32. Patton ripped off a 28-yard run to give Waterloo a first down at the Wildcats 40. On the next play, Patton hit Mack Mundy to the 15, but a holding call negated the play and Waterloo was forced to punt.
Marion scored with 6:44 to go in the second quarter to go up 15-7.
Waterloo’s next drive was stalled by back-to-back holding penalties — questionable calls, according to the coaching staff — and not to be the last questionable call made against Waterloo during the remainder of the game.
Marion scored again with 1:57 left in the quarter to go up 21-7, then got a gift from the Bulldogs when receiver Mitchell Gladney slipped on his route and Patton’s pass was picked off and returned for a TD. Marion led 27-7 lead at the half.
Waterloo could never get the momentum back that they had going in the first quarter, as penalties and costly turnovers stalled several promising drives.
Marion added two scores in the second half to to take the game 41-7 and send the Bulldogs home, still in search of that elusive playoff win.
