The Audubon Wheelers lost a hard fought game in the 8-Player Football Championship on Thursday to Don Bosco 35-19. The Wheelers end an incredible season at 12-2 and their first State Championship appearance since 1977.

The game started off strong for both teams with opening possession scores. Kaiden Smith hooked up with Ethan Klocke on a 7-yard scoring strike to open the game up. Don Bosco would answer with a Thomas Even 6 yard TD run.

After three straight possession that ended with turnover on downs, the Dons grabbed the lead with a 7-play 43 yard drive that ended with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Cael Frost to Thomas Havel. After forcing a punt and getting a short field Don Bosco scored again with another Even run to take a 20-6 lead.

Audubon would get within a score before the half. Tanner Petersen blocked a punt to set the Wheelers up at the Dons 14-yard line. Two plays later Skyler Schultes hit Joel Klocke for a score to make it 20-13 at half.

Don Bosco opened up the second half with a 7-play, 54 yard drive to push ahead 27-13. After a couple of punts the Wheelers climbed back within a score on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Kaiden Smith, making the score 27-19.

Audubon forced a punt by the Dons and then built some momentum with a big play on the next drive. The Wheelers went for it on 4th and 2 on their own 15-yard line. Kaiden Smith hit Ethan Klocke on a pass to midfield to convert. Unfortunately the drive halted on the next play with the first of back to back interceptions by Dillon Welter for the Dons.

In between those two picks the Dons pushed the game back to two possessions with a big 9-play, 64 yard drive capped off by Thomas Even’s 4th touchdown run of the game. Even grabbed an interception of his own later in the 4th to help seal the win.

Don Bosco outgained Audubon 284-195 in the contest. Thomas Even ran for 62 yards and 4 scores, putting him at 2,002 yards on the year. Cael Frost threw for 124 yards and 1 score and and for 97 yards. Audubon was led by Skyler Schultes with 105 yards and 1 score passing to go with 31 yards on the ground. Ethan Klocke finished with 6 catches for 53 yards and 1 score.

After the game Audubon Head Coach Sean Birks talked about the standard this Wheeler team set for the program.

Coach Birks is proud of the team-first mentality this team showed all year long.

Tanner Petersen also gushed with pride when talking about the bond the team shared this year.

Skyler Schultes was grateful for the journey this season.

A huge turnout of Wheeler red was in the stands on Thursday morning at the UNI-Dome to support their team, and they can all be very proud of a Wheeler squad to remember.