The Milbank Area Bulldogs used a solid defensive effort to secure a 26-14 victory over the Lennox Orioles Friday, September 8, at AB Campbell... Dawgs Convert Turnovers Into Victory on the Gridiron

The Milbank Area Bulldogs used a solid defensive effort to secure a 26-14 victory over the Lennox Orioles Friday, September 8, at AB Campbell Stadium. The Dawgs improve to 2-1 on the season with the win.

“I am very proud of our effort and how hard we played,” stated Bulldog head coach Jeremy Tostenson. “The guys are working hard and battling on Friday nights.”

Milbank received the ball to start the game and didn’t waste any time putting points on the scoreboard. On the Dawgs first offensive series, Milbank Area drove down the field and capitalized with a 21-yard touchdown run by senior Cole Dockter. His own extra point kick was no good, thus giving the Bulldogs the early 6-0 lead.

The teams exchanged punts before Lennox found the end zone late in the opening quarter. The Orioles scored on a 15-yard pass. A successful extra point gave Lennox the 7-6 advantage.

A scoring drought ensued for much of the second quarter. Both teams were held scoreless until Milbank’s defense got on fire. Senior Mitch Quade came up with a big Pick Six. He intercepted a Lennox pass and returned it 36 yards to the house for the TD. Jake Karges ran in on the two-point conversion, giving Milbank Area the 14-7 lead at the halfway mark.

Milbank’s defense didn’t let up after the break. Lennox received the ball to start the second half, but their offensive chances were quickly dashed when Max McCulloch tipped a Lennox pass away from the receiver. Derrick Aho was in the right place at the right time. He caught the ball and returned it to the end zone for another Pick Six for the Bulldogs. The two-point conversion failed, and Milbank Area widened the gap to 20-7.

Setbacks began to occur in the form of penalty flags against both teams throughout the remainder of the third quarter and into the fourth. The teams battled back and forth, when Milbank quarterback Jacob Sandvig was narrowly sacked, fumbled the ball, and Lennox picked it up and returned it to the end zone for an Orioles defensive touchdown. Their extra point was good, moving the score to 20-14 with just over five minutes left in the contest.
Milbank Area started with the ball at midfield after a solid return by Riley Gauer. The Dawgs quickly faced a third down and three yards to go, when Karges broke tackles and sprinted to the end zone for a 47-yard TD. The kick attempt again failed, but the Bulldogs remained on top 26-14, where the score would remain to the finish.

Milbank Area wrapped up the victory with 297 yards of offense, including 275 yards rushing and 22 passing. Lennox ended the night with 33 yards rushing and 147 yards passing for 180 total offensive yards.

Quarterback Sandvig went 1-8 for 22 yards. He also collected 70 yards rushing on 13 carries on the night. Karges racked up 109 yards rushing on 13 carries and one touchdown while Dockter finished the game with 77 yards on 14 totes, one touchdown and 22 yards on one reception. Quade ended the night with 22 yards on five carries.

Defensively, Aho and Quade each scored a TD on an interception, and Quade and Tanner Kettwig each were credited with a quarterback sack. Karges led the defensive efforts with eight tackles. Dockter followed with six while McCulloch and Kettwig added five each. Gauer chipped in with four tackles; Quade and James Weber, three, and Aho, two.

Pictured carrying the ball is Derrick Aho with Derrick Weinkauf leading him (#31).

Staff Writer

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