Bulldogs Defeat Groton in a Thriller – Take on Dell Rapids This Friday

In a game of thrills and spills, the Bulldogs gave fans a roller coaster ride to remember during their Homecoming victory on Friday, September 13. Milbank survived everything from leg cramps due to the 80-degree heat, unusual calls and penalties from the refs, and a dizzying amount of lead changes to lock in a 32-28 victory over the Groton Tigers.

Bulldog quarterback Braylen Bowsher got the offense rolling when he connected with Emmett Hanson on a 30-yard touchdown pass. Moises Luna added one more point with his successful kick to give Milbank a 7-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Groton responded late in the second quarter with a 10-yard touchdown reception by Korbin Kucker, but the Tigers missed their extra point attempt. Milbank held a 7-6 lead heading into the Homecoming halftime show.

Groton returned to the field to take their first lead of the night in the third quarter, when Kucker broke through to lumber 37 yards for a touchdown. The Tigers opted to run for the extra points and Ryder Johnson completed a two-point conversion. Groton jumped ahead 14-7. 

Milbank, however, answered PDQ with a stunning 68-yard touchdown pass from Bowsher to Sam Rick. The extra point attempt failed, but the lead was razor-thin in favor of the Tigers at 14-13 as the quarter ended.

The fourth quarter kept everyone’s heart pounding. Milbank regained the lead early when Bowsher powered in a one-yard touchdown run. Although the two-point conversion attempt failed, the pendulum had swung back to Milbank. They had gained  a 19-14 edge. Groton responded with a 23-yard touchdown pass. Their two-point conversion run fizzled, but Groton had reclaimed the lead at 20-19.

Just when fans thought they had used up all their adrenaline, Bowsher connected again, this time on a massive 79-yard touchdown pass to Esteban Abrego. The Bulldogs were back in the lead at 25-20. Groton roared back with Kucker scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run. With a successful two-point conversion, the Tigers took back the lead at  28-25 with 5:44 minutes on the clock and draining fast.

But the Tigers were not ahead for long.  Bowsher exploded with a 27-yard touchdown bomb to Rick, who plunged into the endzone with just under three minutes left on the clock. Luna kicked the extra point between the posts to put the Bulldogs up 32-28. The Tigers got the ball back, but they couldn’t get anything together before Hanson nabbed it on an interception with just 2:18 to go. The Bulldogs had the ball again. They didn’t score, but ticked off most of the remaining time.

Then, as if fans hadn’t already gotten their money’s worth, in a final twist, with just 17 seconds on the clock, Groton blocked Milbank’s punt. The Tigers took possession with a short field and one last chance to rain on Milbank’s victory parade. Milbank’s D was ready. They queued up, held Groton scoreless on all four plays, and nailed the Homecoming win!

The Bulldogs racked up 383 yards of total offense –288 yards passing and 95 yards rushing. Bowsher completed 9-of-11 attempts for nearly 82 percent. Groton accrued a total of 304 yards – 204 passing and 100 rushing. Tate Schlueter led the Bulldogs with 65 yards rushing, one interception, nine tackles, and a sack. Bowsher followed with six tackles and one interception. Hanson made five tackles, with two sacks and an interception. Mason Allen had four tackles. Jesse Schneck put up three. Bennett Hunt, Ethan Owen, and Oliver Korth each had two. Street added one.

The win improved Milbank’s record to 2-1 for the season. Groton fell to 2-1. 

What’s next? Milbank hosts Dell Rapids this Friday, September 20, at A.B. Campbell Stadium. Kick-off is 7 p.m.  Dell Rapids lost their first game of the season to Dakota Valley. They recently took down both Madison and Sioux Falls Christian.