In its previous eight wins, the Seton Catholic Cougars averaged nearly 50 points per game while allowing only two opponents to find the endzone more than once.
Friday, in their 29-21 win over La Center in a battle of top-ranked teams in Class 1A, the Cougars’ early two-score deficit was a first for 2024.
Four minutes and 50 seconds into Friday’s road victory, the Cougars trailed 14-0 before the offense took the field. Houston Coyle’s 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the game, followed by an eight-play Wildcats scoring drive after recovering an onside kick gave the home team early momentum.
But grit and determination set the tone for the Cougars.
“A lot of grit,” said senior linebacker Garrett Nebels, who recorded 12 tackles and a third-quarter interception. “We’re here to win, it doesn’t matter what the circumstances are — whether we’re down 14, we’re here to win no matter what. Everybody knows that.”