OBSERVER Staff Report

IROQUOIS — The Dunkirk Marauders found themselves on the short end of a shootout on Friday night, dropping a tight game to the Iroquois Chiefs, 38-36, in what was essentially a playoff game, with the winner qualifying for the Class B playoffs.

Dunkirk got the first score of the game on an intercepted screen pass, running it back all the way for a touchdown, and converting the two-point conversion, taking an 8-0 lead just a minute into the first quarter. Iroquois however was quick to respond, as just 30 seconds and two offensive plays later, quarterback Trey Kleitz found Tyler Barry for a 37 yard touchdown. Iroquois made their extra point, making the game 8-7 in favor of the Marauders.

As was the story of the game, Dunkirk answered back quickly, as on their next possession, Chris Ortiz punched it in on a three yard run for the Marauders, this time failing to convert the two point try, extending the Marauder lead to 14-7, which was the score at the end of the first.

Dunkirk extended the lead further at the start of the second quarter, as Oritz ran home another one, this one from five yards out, with the two point try being good, giving Dunkirk a commanding 22-7 lead.

Iroquois would strike back again, as a 60 yard kick return gave the Chiefs excellent field position, which Iroquois’ Blake Nolan was able to capitalize on, running it home from six yards up. After the extra point, Iroquois trailed 22-14.

Iroquois would strike again late in the first half, as Kendall Mariacher, on a flip from Kleitz, hit Johnathan Bool for a 45 yard touchdown to tie the game going into halftime.

Dunkirk would regain the lead right out of the gates in the third quarter, as Ortiz rushed home his third touchdown of the evening, this one from 19 yards, as that on top of another two point conversion gave Dunkirk a 30-22 lead.

That lead was quickly negated once again, as Kleitz found Barry for a 42 yard score through the air. Iroquois also converted their two pointer, which tied the game at 30 a piece just a minute and 20 seconds after the Marauders took the lead.

The Marauders took their last lead of the day late in the third, when quarterback Phil Messina found Peyton Ahlstrom on a 30 yard touchdown pass with five minutes remaining in the third. The Marauders would fail to convert the two point attempt, which ended up being the difference in the game.

The final score of the game came from Blake Nolan, who ran it in from 25 yards out. Iroquois was able to convert their two pointer, giving them their 38-36 lead.

Dunkirk came very close late in the fourth quarter, converting a fourth and one at the Iroquois 24 yard line to continue a drive, but were eventually stuffed on a fourth and one from the Iroquois six yard line. Once Iroquois got the ball back, a Dunkirk 15-yard penalty after the play gave the Chiefs a free first down, which was the nail in the coffin for a close game.

Dunkirk (3-2) will play their final game of the season against the Fredonia Hillbillies next Friday night.