Bulldogs Win First Football Game of the Season

Brian Allmendinger, new head coach of the MHS football team, collected his first win with an 18-6 victory over Sisseton. The Bulldogs defeated the Redmen on Friday, August 21, on the road.

“I was very pleased with how the team played,” said Allmendinger. “We played great defense, tackled well, and were physical. On offense, we ran the ball very well behind great play from our O-line.”

Milbank started the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run by Marshall Voeltz in the first quarter. The two-point conversion failed. Neither team scored during the remainder of the first half.

Voeltz again found the end zone in the third period with another three-yard touchdown run. The extra point kick by Parker Schell was no good, but Milbank remained ahead 12-0.

Voeltz again found paydirt in the final quarter with a five-yard run to score and widen the gap to 18-0. Sisseton had the last word with a 34-yard touchdown pass to bring the final score to 18-6.

Voeltz led the Dawgs with 159 yards on 31 carries and three touchdowns. Bennett Schwenn added 68 yards on 10 carries and 24 yards on one catch. Quarterback Kaden Krause connected on 4-of-8 passing for 42 yards and scurried for 18 yards on eight carries. Mike Karges tallied 10 yards on two runs.  Sawyer Gauer had eight yards on three totes and 18 yards on three
receptions.

Milbank collected 305 total yards of offense – 42 yards passing and 263 yards rushing. Sisseton had 191 yards on offense —127 yards passing and 64 yards rushing.

For the defense, Connor Bender led Milbank with five tackles. Carter Bowsher followed with four. Voeltz, Aiden Foell, and Toby Schneck had three each. Justus Osborn, Schwenn, and Karson Weber added two apiece. Maddox Hanson, Isaiah Korstjens, Jack Sandvig, Sammy Femling, Steve Ash, and Leyton Raffety contributed one each. Schwenn also had an interception.

“I felt our defense, offensive line, and Marshall Voeltz’s running the ball were the highlights of the game,” stated Allmendinger. “The guys also played with fire and intensity. I was excited and a little nervous to get the season started, but we are looking forward to this team and players rebuilding a winning tradition and getting back to having fun playing a great sport.”

The 2020 team is led by seniors (as pictured) Will Cummins, Toby Schneck, Mason Riley, Micah Dietmeier, Brendan Engebretson, Parker Schell, Matt Christensen, Tanner Mertens, Trevor Jankord, and Jared Johnson. 

“I expect these guys to be leaders on and off the field,” says Allmendinger. “I have already seen some good things from them.”

Returning letter winners include:  Marshall Voeltz, Evan Hausauer, Jace Rufer, Carter Bowsher, Leyton Raffety, Aiden Foell, and Sawyer Gauer. Assistant coaches include: Brian Pauli (defensive coordinator), Jeff Trapp (linebackers, offensive line), Mick Thompson (offensive coordinator), Troy Gauer (special teams coordinator), and Brian Sandvig (special teams).

“We are excited to get started,” added Allmendinger. “Our goal is to be fundamentally sound in all three phases of the game, exhibit positive attitudes and effort throughout the season, and get better day by day. We are hopeful everyone stays healthy, can play a full season, and can maintain a sense of normalcy.”

Milbank hosts Wahpeton, North Dakota, for its first home game of the season on Friday, August 28. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Photo – Marshall Voeltz (with the ball), with help from Leyton Raffety (behind), gets pushed into the end zone for the first touchdown of the game on Friday night.