—Submitted photo by Julie Vinsand, the Gowrie News Southeast Valley's Lathe Muench runs the ball against OABCIG on Friday in Gowrie. The Jaguars won 44-22.

GOWRIE — Mike Swieter shouldn’t have to worry about where his team is in the rankings anymore — everyone may be looking up at Southeast Valley very soon.

The third-ranked Jaguars (4-0 overall, 1-0 Class 2A, District 2) who have had the flair for knocking off second-ranked teams, just added to their resume.

Southeast Valley used a big second half to end top-ranked and two-time defending champion OABCIG’s (3-1, 0-1) 28-game win streak with a 44-22 victory on their home field.

Since Oct. 27, 2018 the Falcons are 28-0 against their opponents and 0-2 against the Jaguars. Southeast Valley handed OABCIG their last loss more than two years ago.

“We won (tonight) because of our offensive line,” said Swieter, who has seen his team knock off a team ranked in the top-two for the fourth time. “We could control what we were doing because of the lines blocking. They had skill kids and we had skill kids that matched up, so we had to win on the line in the trenches.

“The bottom line is we had to beat their line. You win and lose with your line and I’m proud of all five of them.”

As the final horn sounded the Jaguars ran to the home side of the field and broke into their victory cry in front of a standing room only crowd.

“Our fan base is everything,” Swieter said. “It is just outstanding. We have great supporters and a great student section. Everyone knew what was at stake. Our kids were not afraid of them.

“We expected this. On paper we were underdogs, but we knew we could win this game.”

The two ranked teams exchanged touchdowns in the first half and fought to a 22-22 lead. The Jaguar defense rose to the occasion in the final 1:15, stopping the Falcons inside the red zone.

“We made some adjustments (at half) and we knew we had to play smash mouth football,” Swieter said. “We saved a couple for later in the game and it helped.

“Coach (Mark) Graves is our new defensive coordinator and he put a new defense in. We put something together for teams like this. My hat goes off to all my coaches and our kids.”

Both teams exchanged possessions with no scoring to open the second half, but it was a methodical smashmouth drive that put the Jaguars up for good.

Senior Lathe Muench pounded away at the Falcon defensive line, churning his way down the field as the Jaguars ate up precious seconds on the clock.

“To be honest with you, Lathe was bored in the first two games. We didn’t need to give him a lot of work,” Swieter said. “Everyone has know idea how good he is. He is a very physical back and when he gets in a groove, I’m not afraid to give him the ball every single play.

“He is a game changer and everyone who has to tackle him will be sore the next day.”

Southeast Valley went ahead on a Kolson Kruse to Eli Johnson six-yard touchdown pass on fourth down and Muench ran in the two-point conversion for a 30-22 lead.

Muench gave the Jaguars a two touchdown lead with a 42-yard burst down the left side of the field and punched in the two-point conversion for a 38-22 lead.

Colton Brant iced the game with a 29-yard interception for a touchdown for the final 44-22 victory.

The Falcons jumped on the scoreboard first and early in the first half as Bennett DeJean threw touchdowns and ran one in.

Kruse ran in the Jaguars first touchdown and Muench added the two-point conversion. Muench then added a three-yard touchdown run.

The Jaguars tied the contest on a Kruse to Brant 33-yard touchdown strike.

“It’s one of the best feelings in the world to beat such an accomplished team,” said future Iowa Hawkeye Aaron Graves. “It really shows what our group is made of.

“In the second half we just made it more simple for our secondary. We knew we were never out of it and played like we know we can.”

Muench finished with two touchdowns, while Kruse had two touchdown passes and rushing score. Brant had a touchdown catch and an interception for a score.

Muench finished with 168 yards on the ground. Kruse had 72 passing and 75 rushing yards.

Southeast Valley held a strong offensive attack out of the end zone in the second half.

“We got some more pressure on the edge and that’s the biggest thing we preach to the kids,” Swieter said. “Our best defense was going to be ball control.

“We had to take them out of their game plan.”

The Jaguars travel to fourth-ranked Estherville-Lincoln Central next Friday.