Milbank Falls in Battle of the Bulldogs

The Battle of the Bulldogs took place Friday night, October 4, at AB Campbell Stadium in Milbank. The Madison Bulldogs downed the Milbank Bulldogs 26-7. Milbank’s season record drops to 2-5 with the loss.

Madison put points up on the board during their first series of the game with a four-yard run by Trey Smith. Ryker Trevett blocked the extra point kick attempt. Milbank trailed 0-6. After stalling out right away, Milbank’s defense held Madison scoreless throughout the rest of the opening period. Madison connected for a short one-yard touchdown run with just two seconds left in the first half to widen the gap to 0-13.

In the second half, Milbank started with the ball near the red zone. Facing a fourth and 11, Milbank quarterback Kaden Krause’s pass was intercepted at the Madison 15-yard line. Madison immediately fumbled, however, and Milbank got the ball back. Milbank turned the ball over on downs, and Madison capitalized when Mickale Dohrer caught a four-yard pass from Tyler Tappe for a touchdown. With a successful kick, Madison increased their lead to 20-0 with just over two minutes left in the third quarter.

A roughing-the-passer penalty against Madison helped set up Milbank’s lone touchdown score. The error gave Milbank a first and goal from the Madison six. After an incomplete pass, Dillon Schneck ran unhindered up the middle to score. The extra point kick by Carlos Ramirez was good, and Milbank cut the deficit to 20-7.

Early in the fourth period, Madison connected on a four-yard pass from Tappe to Carson Hunsley for a touchdown. Madison increased their lead to 26-7, and it remained the score while the clock ticked down the remaining minutes.

Milbank acquired 231 total yards of offense. They earned 145 yards rushing and 86 yards passing. Madison racked up 391 yards of offense, which included 220 yards passing and 171 yards rushing. Milbank was charged with three turnovers; Madison had one.

Krause chalked up 3-22 passing for 86 yards and three interceptions. He also ran for 12 yards on six carries. Brodie Holtquist led the Milbank ground attack with 13 carries for 62 yards. Max McCulloch added 33 yards on two totes and one reception for 55 yards. Michael Karges tallied eight carries for 20 yards, and Schneck had three totes for 18 yards. Will Cummins caught two passes for 32 yards.

For the defense, Connor Bender led Milbank with 17 tackles. Karson Weber followed with 10, and Noah Steinlicht added eight. Also contributing to the defense were: McCulloch, seven tackles; Holtquist, six; Nick Ruhr and Bennett Schwenn, five each; D. Schneck, three; and Breyden Miller, Maddox Hanson, and Toby Schneck, two apiece.

Photo – Dillion Schneck