The Ballard football team had a strong comeback effort but it came up short in a 17-14 first round playoff lose to North Polk on Friday night.  With the Bombers trailing 17-0 in the 4th quarter, the Bombers would force a fumble that was recovered by Rhett Hedrick for a 71-yard scoop and score making it 17-7.  After another defensive stop, a Tucker Vitzthum interception, the Bombers would march down the field capped off by a Mason Gatchel pass to Chance Lande in the endzone to make it 17-14.

The Bombers, with limited time, would be forced to try an onside kick.  The Bombers would recover the onside kick to take possession.  However, on the Bomber's first play from scrimmage a pass from Gatchel to Eli Rouse behind the line of scrimmage could not be recovered and the Bombers would turn it over.  The Comets would run the remainder of the time out for the win.

Gatchel was 9 of 18 for the Bombers throwing for 86 yards and a touchdown.  Rouse rushed the ball 12 times for 32 yards.  Lande had 4 catches for 45 yards and a touchdown.

Jackson Wacha had 13.5 tackles for the Bombers and Jack Nelson finished with 10 on the night.  

With the loss, the Bomber's season ends at 5-5 (3-2).

Photo Credit: Nirmalendu Majumdar, Ames Tribune