Dawgs Put Up a Fight Against Dakota Valley

The Milbank Bulldogs suffered a 27-14 loss to Dakota Valley on Friday, September 12. “The kids played hard and gave a great effort,” stated MHS Head Football Coach Adolph Shepardson. “We just have some things we still need to tighten up and improve.” Milbank’s record dropped to 1-3 with the loss.

Milbank received the ball to start the contest, but were unable to produce. Dakota Valley took its first opportunity and marched down the field. The Panthers capitalized on a one-yard run by Nathan Favors. The extra point kick was no good, but Dakota Valley took the lead early at 6-0.

The Dawgs evened the score on their next possession. An impressive drive was highlighted by two first down passes from quarterback Kaden Krause to Max McCulloch, and big first down runs by Dillon Schneck, Brodie Holtquist, and Michael Karges.

Facing a third down and 15 to go, Krause scurried free and was pushed out of bounds close to the red zone. A personal foul against Dakota Valley moved the ball to the nine-yard line. Two plays later, Krause pushed ahead for another first down to the six-yard line. Holtquist was quickly hit in the backfield for a loss, but Bennett Schwenn made the defense pay when he ran up the middle for the nine-yard touchdown. The extra point kick attempt by Carlos Ramirez failed, but Milbank had managed to knot the score at 6-6 to end the first quarter.

Midway through the second period, the Panthers took advantage of a short field situation. Karges’ punt was nearly blocked and the ball skied into the air. Dakota Valley took the ball at the Bulldog 40, and quickly scored on a 41-yard pass to Noah Steele from quarterback Nathan Favors. The extra point kick was good. Milbank trailed 6-13. The score remained there at the midway mark.

Dakota Valley received the ball to start the second half. A solid offensive drive was capped with a 23- yard touchdown run by Eric Johnson. The kick was good, and the gap widened to 6-20.

Early in the fourth quarter, Dakota Valley broke free for a long touchdown run, but the ball was brought back on a holding penalty. Several plays later, the Panthers found the end zone with a three-yard run by Johnson and a successful kick to move the score to 6-27.

Nearing the end of the game, Kellen Hoeke came in at the quarterback position and quickly found Will Cummins in the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown. Hoeke then connected with McCulloch for the two- point conversion to cut the deficit to 14-27 as time expired.

Milbank wrapped up the night with 241 yards of offense. The Dawgs collected 144 yards passing and 97 yards rushing.

Krause completed 12-20 passing for 118 yards. Hoeke connected on 2-4 passing with 26 yards and a touchdown.
Holtquist led the ground attack with 50 yards on 12 carries. He made one catch for six yards. Karges followed
with 21 yards on four totes and 54 yards on four catches. Schneck added 14 yards on two carries and four
yards on two receptions. JD Lusk ran the ball four times for 11 yards, and Schwenn tallied nine yards on one
run and a touchdown. Cummins caught the ball twice for 40 yards and a touchdown, and McCulloch had four
receptions for 39 yards.

For the defense, Nick Ruhr led the Bulldogs with nine tackles. Noah Steinlicht and Alex Schuelke followed with six tackles each. Schwenn was credited with five tackles and McColloch had four. Holtquist and Schneck added three each. Ryker Trevett, Karson Weber, and Elijah Fraasch had two apiece.

Photo – Brodie Holtquist