Bulldogs Clipped in Close Game at Colton

The game between Milbank and Tri-Valley turned into a squeaker on Friday, September 6, in Colton. Defense on both sides kept fans riveted to their seats down to the wire, but at the final buzzer, it was the Bulldogs who were silenced by the Mustangs, 14-13. 

Tri-Valley scored first early in the opening quarter. Brody Dybvig picked off a Bulldog pass and returned it 65-yards for a touchdown.The extra point by Colby McAreavey was good to give the Mustangs a 7-0 lead. 

Milbank made it their mission to tie things up before the half, and they were rewarded with just 30 seconds to go in the second. The Bulldogs had been forced to punt late in the quarter, but they managed to keep Tri-Valley at bay deep in their own territory. Milbank continued to exert pressure and prevented the Mustangs from gaining a first down. Tri-Valley’s next move was to fake the punt, but they couldn’t shake free from the Milbank D and proved unable to muster up a first down. Milbank took over possession at the Mustang 38-yard line.

With the ball back in the hands of the Bulldogs, Tate Schlueter secured a first down at the 14-yard line. Braylen Bowsher let loose a long pass and Emmett Hanson was in the right place at the right time. Hanson snagged it to collect another first down and get Milbank within striking distance at first and goal. According to the plan, Esteban Abrego caught the short but spot-on pass from Bowsher to nail the touchdown. Moises Luna kicked the extra point up and in to knot the score at 7-7.heading into halftime.

Neither team produced in the third quarter, but both teams put points up on the board in the fourth. The Mustang’s McAreavey ran for a 20-yard touchdown and then sewed up the deal by making his second conversion of the night.to give Tri-Valley a 14-7 lead. Milbank wasted no time crying over spilled milk. Just a few plays later, the Bulldogs  got the ball to Tate Schlueter. Schlueter slogged 30 yards down to the Mustang 31-yard line. On the next play, Bowsher tucked the ball and ferried it 27 yards into the endzone for a touchdown. The Bulldogs had narrowed the gap to 14-13, but missed the extra point to continue to trail at 14-13.  

Tri-Valley considered scoring again late in the game, but instead the Mustangs turned over the ball on downs inside the 10-yard line. Milbank grabbed it and made good time heading to the house, but they were also thwarted by a fourth down at the 10-yard line. In a valiant effort, with 17 seconds remaining, the Bulldogs lined up for a 28-yard field goal attempt. To the Mustang’s credit, their special teams blocked the kick. Tri-Valley spent the rest of the game on their knees running out the clock to hang on for the win. 

The Bulldogs put up 210 rushing yards and 62 yards in the air. Lucas Johnson was credited with a fumble recovery. Mason Allen recorded an interception.  Milbank allowed the Mustangs only 130 yards rushing and 25 yards passing. Connor Carruthers led Tri-Valley with eight tackles. Lawson Lodmel was next with four.

Tackles for the Bulldogs:
Emmett Hanson  – 8
Mason Allen  – 5
Bennett Hunt – 5 
Tate Schlueter –3
Jesse Schneck  –3
Braylen Bowsher –2
Ethan Owen -2
Oliver Korth –2
Esteban Abrego–1 
Lucas Johnson –1

What’s next? The Bulldogs (1-1) host Groton (2-0) in a highly anticipated Homecoming matchup on Friday, September 13, at A. B. Campbell Stadium. Kick off is 7 p.m.

File Photo