Bulldogs Square Off With Vermillion at the Dome

It’s always more festive to play football in the Dakota Dome – one of only 11 domed stadiums owned by college football teams in the US. Milbank traveled to the campus of USD to help Vermillion High School celebrate the Tanager’s Homecoming game there in the 9,100 seat arena on Friday, September 27. 

Vermillion had the advantage after two appearances at the Dakota Dome this season, but the Bulldogs took all the air out of the Tanager’s plan to rely on their passing game. The frustrated Vermillion team threw three gifts to Milbank in the first half. Bulldog quarterback Braylen Bowsher got one, Sam Rick and Esteban Abrego picked off the other two. Milbank just could not convert those opportunities into points. One of Vermillion’s key players, running back Ryne Chapman, however, scurried into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The extra point was good to put Vermillion ahead 7-0. The score remained at 7-0 through halftime.

In the second half, Vermillion held possession of the ball for nearly 18 minutes, which  severely limited Milbank’s ability to get things going. Chapman again took out his fun gun in the third quarter and started firing. He hit the end zone on a one-yard run to extend Vermillion’s lead to 12-0. The Bulldogs D blocked the extra point kick and the Tanagers had to settle for six. This still left the guests down by two scores with three minutes remaining in the third.  Although Milbank’s running back Owen Tesch carried the ball 15 times in the game, the Tanager’s strong defense kept the Bulldogs from gaining enough yardage to take it home.

Vermillion wrapped up the win in the fourth quarter with a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Hayden Christopherson to Elijah Lara. The extra point was good to shut down the dome lights at 20-0.

Milbank accrued 127 total yards with 45 yards in the air and 82 on the ground. Vermillion put up a total of 345 yards with 85 passing and 260 rushing. Rick had four receptions.for the Bulldogs. Abrego, Mason Allen, Emmett Hanson and Ethan Owen each had one. For the Bulldogs defense, Allen led the way. He pulled down eight tackles. Hanson and Bennett Hunt each made six. Owen and Ethan Seyer had five apiece. Bowsher, Tesch and Carter Gloe made three apiece. Rick and Abrego each recorded two. Oliver Korth and Keaton Johnson made one each. Both Ethan Adolph and Jaxson Wiese added an assist. Johnson also had a 23-yard kick-off return. Moises Luna kicked off for 35 yards, and he punted twice, once for 39 yards. Milbank’s record dropped to 2-3 on the season and Vermillion improved to 2-3.

The Bulldogs will be hungry for a victory when they return to A.B. Campbell Stadium this Friday to face the Sisseton Redmen. Kickoff is 7 p.m.  A big and boisterous crowd is expected for Pink Night.