With sole ownership of Class 2A District 7 under wraps, Collins-Maxwell/Baxter will attempt another step Friday night toward an undefeated regular season.
The Raiders (7-0, 5-0) should have plenty of momentum on their side when they host North Polk (4-3, 4-1) Friday night following a wild victory last week.
A sequence that featured blocked kicks on back-to-back plays late in the fourth quarter ended with CMB junior Charles Robertson blocking an extra point attempt, preserving the Raiders’ one-point lead in a 21-20 victory over then third-ranked Albia.
“In 25 years of doing this, it would be hard to find another (game like) that, because of the finish, because of how big the game was — two undefeated teams,” CMB head coach Rob Luther said. “Hopefully we’ve got a lot bigger games coming with playoff games, but just with the excitement leading up to the game and then the finish was just crazy.”
Trailing 21-14 with just over one minute to play in regulation, Albia’s Tony Leshen scooped up a blocked field goal attempt by CMB’s Joey Nissen and returned it 91 yards for what seemed to be the tying touchdown.
On the ensuing extra point, Robinson prevented overtime by blocking the kick and swinging the momentum, and the game, back in the Raiders’ favor.
“I wouldn’t have liked our chances going into overtime,” Luther said. “The momentum had just changed. It was crazy.”
The Raiders’ defense delivered a stellar performance against Class 2A’s highest scoring team. The 20 points Albia scored were a season low. The Blue Demons had scored at least 36 points in each of their first six games.
CMB altered its defensive scheme against Albia, moving Robertson from his upright linebacker position to the defensive line and playing four down linemen instead of three as the team has most of this season.
The plan worked to CMB’s advantage. Albia ran the ball 54 times for 241 yards and a season-low 4.46 yards-per-carry average.
“Our defense played their hearts out all night. We were really physical with that team,” Luther said.
“They’re a physical football team. I don’t want to say we were more physical than they were, but at least we were equal.”
CMB scored what became the winning touchdown late in the third quarter when quarterback Hunter McWhirter crossed the goalline from one yard out. McWhirter then connected with Brady Stover for a successful two-point attempt and a 21-14 lead.
McWhirter looked Stover’s way a lot against Albia as Stover caught a career-high 15 passes for 166 yards.
McWhirter finished the game 25 for 37 for 282 yards with one touchdown pass and two interceptions.
CMB improved to 7-0 with the win and hosts North Polk (x-x, x-x) Friday.
“We have to be careful on the rebound game. We’ve been down that road,” Luther said. “This was such a big game and an emotional game for our kids. North Polk is a good football team. They’re very good and very well coached. They will come with a plan at us Friday. The kids can enjoy it all weekend, but when they roll in on Monday and when the coaches meet Sunday night, we’ve got to roll up our sleeves.”