Knights earns first football win of 2026

By Sam Peterson

Grant County Herald

After two losses to start the season, the West Central Area Knights went on the road Sept. 18 to play Browerville/Eagle Valley and finally got into the win column with a 14-8 victory to move to 1-2.

It was a bit of a slow start for the Knights against the Tigers. Browerville/Eagle Valley was able to break the ice in the first quarter with a four-yard touchdown to take an 8-0 advantage going into the second quarter. WCA’s defense responded in the second quarter, blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown, but a failed two-point conversion made it 8-6 at the halftime break.

WCA took their first lead of the game in the third quarter when Jack Allen threw a 13-yard touchdown to Landon Heidinger and an Owen Gruchow two-point conversion made the score 14-8. The Knight defense continued their stout play in the fourth quarter, shutting out the Tigers to hold on for the six-point win.

“I was really proud of how our guys responded. We got down early, but there was no panic and no letdown. We kept competing, made some big plays when we needed them, and defensively we were outstanding after that first drive. We still have plenty to clean up, but this was a good step for us in learning how to finish a football game,” head coach Nate Wood said.

Both teams were held under 200 yards of total offense. WCA finished the game with 104 passing yards and 89 rushing yards for 193 yards of total offense and were able to hold the Tigers to just 186 yards.

In his first snaps this season at quarterback, Allen finished the game 6 for 11 for 104 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Heidinger caught two passes for 48 yards and the team’s only offensive touchdown of the game. Keiran Gehrke caught one pass for 36 yards. On the ground, Owen Gruchow led the team with 80 of the team’s 89 rushing yards on 12 carries.

After two straight road games, the Knights will be back on their home field in Barrett Friday, Sept. 25 against Ashby/Brandon-Evansville.

WCA 0 6 8 0 – 14

B/EV 8 0 0 0 – 8

Scoring Plays

1st Quarter

B/EV – 4-yard rushing TD – 0-8

2nd Quarter

WCA – 84-yard punt return TD – 6-8

3rd Quarter

WCA – Jack Allen 13-yard passing TD to Landon Heidinger – 14-8

WCA Individual Stats

Passing – Jack Allen 6-11, 104 yards, TD, INT

Rushing – Owen Gruchow 12-80; Eli Domeier 3-6, Keiran Gehrke 1-5; Gavin Armstrong 1-0; Jack Allen 6-(-2)

Receiving – Landon Heidinger 2-48, TD; Keiran Gehrke 1-36, Owen Gruchow 1-14, Eli Domeier 1-3, Logan Schmall 1-3