The Friday night opener for the Marshalltown Bobcats against the Ames Little Cyclones was full of emotions both high and low. The game started out with a bang as Senior Quarterback Jamison Niehouse took a 55 yard run to the house in the first quarter giving the Bobcats a quick 6-0. The final play of the 1st half, Niehouse rolls out to his left, gets tackled from behind and their legs got tangled so much that Niehouse never got back up. He was taken from the field on a stretcher with a gruesome leg injury.
Sophomore backup quarterback, Deegan Grant, was able to step in and keep the Bobcats in the game. He threw a pass to Zane Moore to take the lead with about 3 minutes to go, 16-15. The Little Cyclones were able to drive to mid-field and with about 45 seconds left they threw a bomb to the back of the end zone for a touchdown and the lead. The Little Cyclones win the game 23-16, the first time they beat the Bobcats since 2023.
Niehouse will miss the remainder of the 2026 season. Senior Tyler Englund sprained his ankle during the game as well and he will continue to be evaluated moving forward.
Zach Tomesch, News Director KFJB