South Tama’s Jordan Bly is well covered by Jalil Jones (2) and Mario Hofer (4) as a hail mary pass from Jacob Collison sails over their outstretched arms. Charles City won the passing battle Friday 95-54. -- Photos by Darvin Graham

Following a solid Week 7 victory over Center Point-Urbana, the South Tama Trojans had their sights set on entering the middle tier of the District 3 standings.

The Charles City Comets came to town Friday off a blowout loss to Independence the week before.

There were no blowouts Friday as the lead changed multiple times and the game eventually went into overtime.

Charles City emerged with a 30-27 victory courtesy of a 20-yard field goal by Jack Hanson in the final overtime period.

South Tama again opted to slot in former lineman Jacob Collison at quarterback after making his debut in Week 7.

Gavin Bridgewater charges into the end zone in the first half of South Tama’s home game against Charles City. Bridgewater scored one of South Tama’s three rushing touchdowns last Friday in a ground-and-pound effort that outran the Comets 250-118.

Collison was a bruiser under center, carrying the ball 17 times for 71 yards while completing 6-of-8 passes for 54 yards and no interceptions.

South Tama again leaned heavily on their run game and managed to outrush Charles City 250-118.

Senior Boden Koehler turned in his third game of the season rushing over 100 yards. Koehler finished with 117 yards on 21 carries and one touchdown.

The other rushing touchdowns came from Collison and sophomore Gavin Bridgewater.

Kyler Smith was STC’s leading receiver with three catches for 21 yards.

Quarterback Jacob Collison tries to turn the corner after disposing of Charles City’s Landon Luft (60) in the backfield. Collison turned in a solid performance with 125 all-purpose yards and one rushing touchdown.

Collison also made his presence known on defense, leading the team with 10 tackles including two for a loss.

The STC defense also forced Charles City into turning the ball over, once by a fumble that was recovered by Nathaniel Palmarez and an interception by Koehler.

However, it was special teams play that won the day in Week 8.

The Comets took not one, but two South Tama kickoffs back for touchdowns. That coupled with the game-ending field goal proved to be the edge the Comets needed to get the win.

South Tama was not without its own special teams theatrics as Kyler Smith took a punt return 80 yards for a touchdown.

Jalil Jones holds on for dear life as South Tama’s Kyler Smith heads up the field during STC’s home game against Charles City on Oct. 15. Although the game went into overtime, the Comets emerged with a 30-27 win following a 20-yard field late into the game.

The Trojans will close out their season this week on the road to face Hampton-Dumont/CAL (4-4).

Friday will be the first meeting on the gridiron for the two schools with H-D/CAL coming off a 42-6 win over CP-U and South Tama aiming to match last season’s total of three wins.