Bolts run ‘Philly Special’ in overtime to stay unbeaten

FORT DODGE — Kicking was not an option for the Baxter football team on Friday night.

So after the Bolts blocked Fort Dodge St. Edmond’s extra point in overtime, Baxter head football coach Rob Luther went for the win and dialed up the “Philly Special.”

Treyton Travis’ pass to quarterback Perrin Sulzle in overtime gave the Bolts a 36-34 walk-off road victory during Class 8-man District 9 play.

“They were playing man and had no way to cover the quarterback out the opposite direction,” Luther said. “We wanted to get the ball to Treyton to make a play. And we don’t kick extra points.”

It took a second-half rally to keep Baxter undefeated. The Bolts trailed 20-8 at halftime but outscored the Gaels 14-0 in the third to rally. Both teams scored eight points in the fourth.

St. Edmond tied the game with a late touchdown and 2-point conversion to force overtime, but the Bolts won it in the extra session.

“We just had to settle down,” Luther said about the halftime deficit. “We found ways to get our guys the ball in space and the defense was really good all night.”

Sulzle was 29-of-43 through the air for 297 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

Travis hauled in 10 passes for 93 yards and two scores and Cainan Travis rushed for 73 yards on 12 carries and had four catches for 46 yards and one score.

Cade Robinson had the best game of his varsity career, finishing with 63 rushing yards and one TD on 11 carries and 70 yards and one TD on eight catches.

Cody Samson added four catches for 37 yards, Stadan Vansice chipped in 39 yards on two catches and Carter Smith’s first career reception went for 12 yards.

Treyton Travis led the defense with nine tackles and two interceptions, Cael Wishman added seven tackles, two sacks and four tackles for loss and Samson registered a team-best 10 tackles and recovered a fumble.

Cainan Travis had 6.5 tackles, Jack Anderson tallied six tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss and Aiden McFadden chipped in six tackles.

Callyn Bishop collected five tackles and Treyton Travis had a 26-yard punt return.

The Bolts are 3-0 for the third straight season. They improved to 2-0 in district play. The Gaels dropped to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in district play.

St. Edmond’s JT Laufersweller threw for 255 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions and rushed for 63 yards.

Klay Baker ran for 81 yards and three scores and grabbed five passes for 68 yards and another TD. He registered 11.5 tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss on defense.