Bulldogs Suffer Loss to Quarriers

The Milbank Area Bulldogs suffered a disappointing 20-6 loss to the Dell Rapids Quarriers Friday, October 7, and still have their playoff hopes hanging by a wire.

The Dawgs started off hesitant and Dell Rapids took advantage and found an open gap up the middle for a 44-yard touchdown run. The extra point kick failed, but the Quarriers held an early 6-0 lead.

Milbank Area’s offense was quickly stopped, but a Dell Rapids fumble gave the Bulldogs another shot. On the Dawgs next series, the locals faced a fourth down and were set up to fake the punt, but miscommunication resulted in the Quarriers taking over possession. The teams then battled back and forth, but neither were able to capitalize and the first quarter ended 6-0.

To open the second period, Dell Rapids was knocking on the door when the Quarrier quarterback fumbled the ball which bounced and landed in the hands of Ethan Paysen. Milbank Area took over at their own five yard line. Their hopes were also quickly demolished when a Bulldog fumble gave Dell Rapids the ball back on the 10-yard line. The Quarriers quickly converted it to a five-yard TD run. The two-point conversion was successful widening the gap to 14-0.

The teams battled throughout the third period, but penalties and fumbles for both teams held the quarter scoreless. Early in the final quarter, Milbank Area pulled together and got its offense rolling. Jacob Karges broke free up the middle for a big first down. Cole Dockter caught a pass to move the sticks again for Milbank Area. Quarterback Jonny Ash then again connected with Cole Dockter for a 34-yard TD. Ash’s extra point kick was blocked, but the Dawgs cut the deficit to 14-6.

The Quarriers wrapped up the game midway through the final quarter with a three-yard TD run. The kick was no good and Dell Rapids finished the game with the 20-6 win.

“We played our hearts out,” stated Bulldog head coach Jeremy Tostenson. “Unfortunately, it just was not enough. We still have a lot of season left, so we need to regroup and focus on next week’s game with Sisseton.”

Ash went 4-16 passing for 51 yards and one touchdown. Karges tallied 54 yards rushing on 13 carries. Jake Anderson added nine yards rushing on two totes and Cole Dockter had two yards on one carry and 34 yards on one reception. Cody Dockter contributed 17 yards on three catches.

On the defensive side, Ben Nelson led the Dawgs with nine tackles. Anderson followed with eight and Tanner Kettwig and James Weber added seven. Karges and Zach Angerhofer contributed six tackles; Derrick Aho and Riley Wollschlager had four; Koben Huber, Ethan Paysen and Cole Dockter, three; and Taran Mogard, two.

Milbank Area finished the game with 109 yards of total offense. The Dawgs had 76 yards passing and 33 yards rushing. Dell Rapids collected the win with 411 yards, including 346 yards rushing and 65 yards passing.

The Bulldogs will host Sisseton Friday, October 14, to continue their search for a playoff berth.