Ames High Football Scores Big Victory In Opener

The Ames High varsity football team displayed a strong performance in its season opener Friday night with a 54-7 home win against Des Moines North. 

Ames sophomore Sam Straub carried the team to its first victory as quarterback in his varsity debut. Straub’s composure in the pocket allowed him to throw for 137 yards on 11 of 15 attempts. He threw three touchdowns and no interceptions in the first half. 

The Des Moines North Polar Bears lost control in the first quarter with two punts and two turnovers on its first four drives. 

Ames took control from the first drive, stringing together three first downs and ending with 6-yard touchdown pass from Straub to senior Adam Maher.

Interceptions and fumbles plagued the Polar Bears as they committed eight penalties and five turnovers, highlighted by back-to-back fumbles to end the first half without a point.

Ames High Senior Hanson Breitling contributed to the win with 15 carries for 85 yards, three receptions for 20 yards and two touchdowns, both on the ground.

Ames’ scoring slowed in the second half as sophomore Alex Brammer took over at quarterback, and the Little Cyclone’s went almost exclusively to running.

North finally broke through Ames’ stout defense at the 9:31 mark in the fourth quarter with a 5-yard touchdown run by Roman Hellems. 

Aside from that touchdown, Ames faltered with penalties, too, being flagged eight times for 55 yards.

The Little Cyclones will look to improve to 2-0 next Friday at Ankeny, which beat Waukee yesterday, 31-20. The next home game for Ames will be on Sept. 2 against Ottumwa.