The Simpson Storm defense forced three turnovers and held the high-flying Dubuque offense to just 7 points in a 27-7 homecoming victory Saturday as heard live on 94.3 KNIA.
The two teams didn’t find much offense in the first half, with the Storm’s only score coming on a Jayden Thoreson to Noah Cracraft connection to lead 7-0, with the defense holding the Spartans to zero points despite two trips inside the ten yard line.

Thoreson found Cracraft in the endzone again in the third quarter to lead 14-0, but the Spartans answered with 8 minutes left to cut the deficit in half. The next Storm drive saw the offense go for a 4th and long at the 23 and drew the Spartans offsides and Thoreson found Staska in the endzone on a free play to get the lead back to 14, and after another Dubuque interception Demarico Young scored on an 84-yard run to get the victory.

Storm head coach Reed Hoskins said after the game it truly was a team effort, with the offense scoring the points when they needed to and the defense being dominant, as well as special teams forcing multiple long drives from Dubuque.

MJ Burks had two interceptions on the day, Noah Noland had 18 tackles and 2 sacks, and Cracraft had 100 yards receiving and two scores.

The Storm are now 4-3 overall and 3-2 in American Rivers Conference play, and will travel to Loras on Saturday.

*photo from Simpsonathletics.com