Dawgs Down to the Wire in High School Football

The Bulldogs are down to the wire in the 2019 football season. Milbank fell to undefeated and top-ranked Dell Rapids 30-0 on Friday, October 11, on the road. Milbank’s season record drops to 2-6, and the Dawgs, with only one game remaining on their schedule, are out of the playoffs. All other Class 11A teams have two games left to play this season and remain eligible for the playoffs. The Bulldogs travel to Tea to play the last game of their season on Friday October 18.

Highlights from the Dell Rapids game:
Milbank made it inside the red zone three times, but fell short of the goal line. In the first quarter, Dell Rapids put points on the scoreboard with a seven-yard touchdown run by Coby Maeschen. The two-point conversion failed, but the Quarriers led 6-0.

Dell Rapids scored again in the opening quarter when Logan Ellingson returned a Milbank interception 28 yards to the end zone. The conversion was good. Dell Rapids took a 14-0 lead.

In the second quarter, Dell Rapids scored again on a two-yard run by Logan Stone. The conversion was successful, and the Quarriers extended their lead to 22-0 by halftime.

Dell Rapids scored its final touchdown in the third quarter with a 14-yard run by Maeschen. Another successful two-point conversion gave the Quarriers the 30-0 win.

Milbank compiled 240 total yards of offense. The Dawgs had 28 yards passing and 212 yards rushing. Dell Rapids wrapped up the win with 258 yards of offense, including 41 yards passing and 217 yards rushing. Strong winds played a factor in the yardage totals.

Quarterback Kaden Krause hit 4-13 passing for 28 yards and two interceptions. He added 13 yards rushing on four carries. Max McCulloch led the team with 70 yards on six carries and 30 yards on two catches. Sawyer Gauer followed with 38 yards rushing on four totes. JD Lusk added 24 yards on four carries. Brodie Holtquist contributed four yards rushing on six carries and two yards on one reception.

For the defense, Karson Weber led the Bulldogs with seven tackles. Holtquist and Nick Ruhr followed with six tackles each. Bennett Schwenn, Dillon Schneck, and Connor Bender had four tackles each. Noah Steinlicht and McCulloch had three. Lusk and Maddox Hanson made two apiece. Bender, McCulloch, and Micah Dietmeier each recovered a Dell Rapids fumble.

Kickoff for the Bulldogs last game of the season – Milbank versus Tea – is at 7 p.m. in Tea.

Photo – Max McCulloch