The Northwood-Kensett football team came into the substate playoffs fighting a rash of injuries and seeking a trip to the first round against a familiar foe in Central, Elkader.

Last year the two teams met in the first round of the state playoffs and the Vikings escaped with a 14-13 victory inside the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, but any possibility of a return trip to the UNI-Dome for Northwood-Kensett would be denied by the Warriors in a 21-9 victory.

Central Elkader (8-1) outgained the Vikings (6-4) 329 to 152 with quarterback Tyler Sylvester passing for 120 yards and two touchdowns to end Northwood-Kensett’s season.

The Vikings held a 3-0 lead after Paul Schindler kicked a school record 37-yard field goal in the first quarter, but a Sylvester touchdown pass to Keaton Juergens in the second quarter gave the Warriors a lead they never surrendered.

Spencer Capitani scored on a 70-yard run to make it a 14-9 game, but Northwood-Kensett wouldn’t get any closer.

“It was just one of those seasons that took a toll on us,” said Vikings head coach Dave Capitani.

Starting running back Jayson Olson saw limited action in the game after sustaining an injury against Rockford the week before. Northwood-Kensett rushed for 142 yards and had eight first downs in the game.

“I was real proud of our kids,” Capitani said. “I thought they played hard all year. We’re disappointed we couldn’t do a little more.”

Central, Elkader 21, Northwood-Kensett 9

Northwood-Kensett 3 0 6 0 —  9

Central 0 7 7 7 — 21

First Quarter

NK—FG Schindler 37.

Second Quarter

CE—Juergens 5 pass from T. Sylvester (Juergens kick).

Third Quarter

CE—T. Sylvester 4 run (Juergens kick).

NK—Capitani 70 run (run failed).

Fourth Quarter

CE—J. Sylvester 4 pass from T. Sylvester (Juergens kick).

NK CE

First Downs 8 20

Rushes-Yards 35-142 40-209

Total Net Yards 152 329

Passing 10 120

Punt Returns 0-0 0-0

Punts 2-34 0-0

Kickoff Returns 4-41 3-46

Interceptions-Ret. 2-17 1-4

Comp-Att-Int 1-5-1 14-22-2

Sacked-Yard lost NA NA

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-Yards NA NA

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Northwood-Kensett, Capitani 13-75, Arnold 11-43, T. Werner 7-24. Central, Tade 29-141, Juergens 4-29, Backes 4-26, Sylvester 2-7, Tajaran 1-6.

PASSING—Northwood-Kensett, Capitani 1-5-1-10. Central, T. Sylvester 14-21-120, Tajaran 0-1-1-0.

RECEIVING—Northwood-Kensett, Gordon 1-10. Central, Juergens 5-48, J. Sylvester 4-18, Backes 3-39, Tade 2-15.