Bulldogs Shutout Cavaliers Under Friday Night Lights

The Milbank Area Bulldogs came up with a big Northeast Conference football victory by shutting out the Aberdeen Roncalli Cavaliers 19-0 Friday night, September 9, in front of Bulldogs Nation at AB Campbell Stadium. The Dawgs extend their undefeated season to 3-0 with the win.
“I am happy with our effort,” stated Bulldog head coach Jeremy Tostenson. “We left it all out on the field. This game doesn’t make our season, but it is a big win, and I am proud of our guys.”

The locals followed its game plan for the night by executing on offense and limiting Roncalli’s quarterback, Braden Sommers, to very little yardage. He was held to just 66 yards passing by completing just 11 of 24 throws, and did not have any yards on the ground. “Another difference in this game is that we didn’t let them have many breaks,” Tostenson explained.

The Dawgs did not play perfect and had their share of mistakes, but were able to survive. Milbank Area fumbled the ball on its first offensive series, which Roncalli recovered. The Cavs answered with a 34-yard touchdown run, but it was called back on a Roncalli penalty. The Bulldog defense then stopped the Cavaliers and took over on downs.

The Dawgs then put together a solid offensive drive highlighted by big runs by Cole Dockter and Tanner Gauer. The drive was capped off when Jonny Ash found Cody Dockter wide open for a 13-yard touchdown. Ash’s extra point kick attempt was no good, and Milbank Area led 6-0.

The second quarter started out with the teams exchanging fumbles. Roncalli fumbled the ball deep in Bulldog territory, which Milbank Area recovered, but then the Dawgs coughed it up and the Cavs came up with the football.

With just over five minutes left in the first half, Milbank Area put another solid offensive drive together. Ash hit Riley Wollschlager in stride on a long 47-yard bomb to move the Dawgs into the red zone at the 11-yard-line. Cole Dockter then found paydirt from 10 yards out for the TD. The Bulldogs two-point conversion pass was knocked down, but Milbank Area pushed ahead at 12-0 to end the first half.

Nearing the end of the third quarter, the Bulldogs offense marched down the field. Gauer found a big hole before being brought down at the 10-yard line, just a yard shy of a first down. A pass to Cody Dockter was complete for a TD, but was called back on a holding call on Milbank Area. Ash’s next pass was then intercepted, and Roncalli took over at their own 27.

Another solid defensive effort forced Roncalli to turn the ball over on downs near mid-field. On Milbank’s Area’s first play from scrimmage, Gauer ran the ball into the end zone from 47 yards out for the score. Ash’s extra point kick was good, giving Milbank Area the 19-0 advantage to end the third quarter.

The final quarter was highlighted with a big quarterback sack by Mitch Quade and Riley Wollschlager intercepting a Sommers pass with 39 ticks on the clock. Ash and the rest of the offense set up in victory formation to end the game and secure the big victory.

Ash went 6-for-11 passing for 90 yards and one touchdown. He also added 18 yards rushing on three carries. Gauer led the Bulldogs with 133 yards on 20 carries and one TD. Cole Dockter had 53 yards rushing on seven totes and a TD while Jacob Karges finished with 13 yards on one carry. R. Wollschlager contributed 47 yards on one catch with Jake Anderson, Nate Bien and Cody Dockter each catching one ball for 15, 14, and 13 yards, respectively.

Milbank Area wrapped up the victory with 305 total yards of offense, including 215 yards rushing and 90 yard passing. Roncalli ended with 141 offensive yards coming off of 74 yards passing and 67 rushing yards.

Defensively, Anderson led the Dawgs with eight solo tackles and one assist. Cole Dockter followed with seven tackles while Karges and Koben Huber added five solo tackles and one assist each. Ethan Paysen contributed three tackles, and Riley Folk, Taran Mogard and Derrick Aho, two apiece.
Milbank Area will be back in action next Friday, September 16, when they travel to Groton.

Pictured is senior Cody Dockter on his 13-yard touchdown.

Click here to view our full album of photos from the Milbank vs. Aberdeen Roncalli Football Game!