Iowa Deaf takes control early

From: Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil, IA - Oct 10, 2003

Iowa School for the Deaf piled up a 34-8 lead by halftime on its way to a 50-38 win over the Thomas Jefferson JV team in a prep eight-man football game at the ISD field Thursday.

For the Bobcats, the game marked a solid turn-around following a tough 28-14 loss to Minnesota School for the Deaf last Saturday, their first loss of the year.

"I was pleased with the way we bounced back after the loss," Iowa Deaf coach Mark Murray said. "It was pretty heart-breaking, we we came back and played hard today."

Eric Humlicek, the leading rusher in southwest Iowa for eight-man football, carried the ball 18 times for 145 yards and scored five touchdowns, one via a 60-yard punt return.

"Humlicek is having a heck of a season," Murray said. "He's got 21 touchdowns, and there's two games left in the season."

Humlicek's 21 touchdowns are seven short of the ISD record set by Ryan Dolan, and he also has 1,043 rushing yards on the season on 118 carries, an average of 8.8 yards-per-carry.

Mike Zimmerman added a 48-yard touchdown run for the Bobcats in the win.

Murray also credited his defense for a solid team effort.

For Thomas Jefferson, sophomore quarterback Martin Rounds carried the ball 19 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns, was 6-for-15 passing for 97 yards and one interception and kicked a pair of touchdowns.

John Crummer added a 45-yard punt return and Cole Brockeisby had a 44-yard touchdown run for the Yellow Jackets.

"They played tough," Murray said of the Jackets. "I just really want to thank (T.J.) coach (Dan) Strutzenberg and his staff for coming here and playing every year."

The Bobcats are back in action against Colorado School for the Deaf at North Platte, Neb. next Saturday.

Thomas Jefferson JV 0 8 14 16 - 38

Iowa Deaf 14 20 0 16 - 50

Records: Iowa Deaf (5-1).

©Daily Nonpareil 2003