Bulldogs Downed by Dells – Take on Vermillion Friday for Homecoming

Milbank traveled to Dell Rapids on Friday, September 19, to face the Quarriers. Dell Rapids took the win at 36-7. The loss dropped Milbank’s record to 1-2,  but the Bulldogs look forward to Homecoming this Friday, September 26. They host the Tanagers of Vermillion. Tailgate starts at 4:30 p.m. Pulled pork sandwiches, chips, a bar or cookie, and a drink will be sold for $5. Don’t forget it’s an early kickoff at 6 p.m. 

At Dell Rapids, the Quarriers jumped out to an early lead with a one-yard touchdown run by Kenny Swanson at the 9:49 mark in the first quarter. The two-point conversion by Ryan Stubbe was good to put the Dells up 8-0. Less than a minute later, Stubbe added a four-yard touchdown run and Swanson converted the two-point play .Dell Rapids led 16-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Milbank came to life in the second quarter when the Bulldogs recovered a fumble with 11:03 on the clock. Quarterback Braylen Bosher connected on a 39-yard pass to Esteban Abrego that brought Milbank to the 17-yard line. The Bulldogs’ drive stalled, however, and Milbank turned the ball over on downs.  

Dell Rapids responded with two more scores before halftime, including a five-yard touchdown run by Stubbe near the 8:00 mark. The extra point kick by Kirti Pickard was also good to put the Quarriers up 23-0.  By the way, if you thought Pickard played like a girl, she probably isn’t insulted. Prickard is a girl. The diminutive senior player is in her second year as the kicker for the Quarriers. 

A 38-yard touchdown run again by Stubbe ]with 2:11 left on the clock pushed their lead to 29-0, but Dell Rapids was assessed a penalty and was forced to move back five yards before Prickard came on the field for the kick. It failed and the score remained at  29-0.        

Still in the second quarter, Milbank took possession, but the Quarriers changed the plan with an interception.  Milbank’s defense came back on the field. The enforcers stepped up to keep the Dells on a short leash. On the Dells’’ fourth and four, Micah Tostenson and Carter Gloe double-teamed quarterback Drake Eastman to stop him in his tracks  and MIlbank charged in to steal the ball in a pay-back interception. With less than a minute to go before break,  Milbank found themselves too short on time to convert the opportunity to points. The first half ended with the score at 29-0 in favor of the Quarriers.

Milbank got the ball to start the second half, but their drive ended at fourth down and short. Layten Osowski’s punt was partially blocked, and Dell Rapids was given the advantage of a short field. Swanson struck again on a five-yard touchdown run. The extra point by Pickard was good for the second time that night, and Dell Rapids carried a 36-0 cushion into the final quarter.

In the fourth, a poorly executed punt by Dell Rapids gave MIlbank outstanding  field position. With 10:20 left in the game, Bowsher broke free to run 18 yards for the TD.  Franklin Pederson’s kick was also good, to help Milbank cut the deficit to 36-7. 

Backup quarterback Lincoln Holscher replaced  Bowsher to finish the game for the Bulldogs, but neither team could turn a spark into a fire. The game wound down and ended at 36-7.

The Bulldogs put up 173 total yards –118 passing and 55 rushing.  Sam Rick had four receptions for 63 yards. Abrego had one reception for 38 yards.  Mason Allen had three receptions for 17 yards. 

Bowsher made 41 yards rushing. Zack Karges had 13. Max Scoular made three, and Lance Engebretson added one. 

Osowski led the defense with five tackles, including  two for a loss.  He also contributed  two tackle assists and a sack. Bowsher and Bennett Hunt also had five tackles apiece. Hunt made two for a loss. They each recorded one assist. Allen had four tackles and two assists. Rick made three tackles and an assist. Abrego had two tackles with one for a loss. Hiram Bryant and Emmett Snaza each made a tackle for a loss.  Ryan Keeton, Lawson Novy, and Tostenson each had one tackle and one assist. Scoular, Engebretson, Pederson, and Gage Newstrand contributed one tackle apiece. Ryan Keeton recorded an interception.Hunt and Kyle Schneck each recovered a fumble.

Dell Rapids accumulated 369 total yards – 92 passing and 277 rushing.  Devin Lodmell led with one reception for 83 yards and 22 yards rushing.