An aggressive “go for the win” two-point conversion play call gave the Simpson Storm football team a one point victory in overtime against undefeated and reigning conference champion Wartburg 37-36 Saturday afternoon in Waverly.
The first half was full of scoring, with each team finding long scoring plays ending in a 21-17 Storm advantage at the break. Wartburg scored on their first drive of the third quarter to take a 23-21 lead after a failed extra point, and both teams struggled on offense until the fourth from there on. Wartburg scored another touchdown early in the fourth for what should have been a two score lead, but the extra point was blocked and returned by Simpson for two points to make it 29-23. After several defensive stops, Simpson gained possession with 2:30 remaining and drove 98 yards down the field to tie the game at 29 after defensive tackle Jackson Bootsmiller caught a touchdown pass. The Storm missed the extra point however, and sent the game into overtime. The Knights scored on their first possession of overtime, which Simpson answered and made the pivotal call to go for the win. The win brings the Storm to 3-1 on the season and 2-0 in conference play, and will host Coe College this week for homecoming.