Quarriers Test Milbank’s Mettle in Football Playoffs

The Bulldogs made it to the 2025 state football playoffs, but took a loss to the Quarriers in the quarterfinal round on October 30 in Dell Rapids. If you didn’t get to the game, you might not see the distortion in the 38-13 final score. Like your face in a fun house mirror, it looks worse than it actually was. 

Milbank held their own and sometimes smoked the Quarriers by launching some  surprise attacks: a 74-yard pass from Bowsher to Rick for an 84-yard TD, two interceptions, a late-in-the-game quarterback sneak for six, and 46 tackles –including four for a loss and one sack. 

That all helped to keep things close until it wasn’t. Dell Rapids got a few good breaks, and to their credit, took full advantage of them. A triple run for DR in the third and early fourth quarters put things out of reach for Milbank. But even when things had tilted too far in favor of  the Quarriers, the Bulldogs didn’t roll over and play dead. In the final minutes, they forced Dell Rapids to settle for a field goal. The Dawgs also pulled it together in the fourth, got down to the endzone, and took it home on a two-yard quarterback keeper to etch one last TD in their 2025 scorebook.

The Quarriers advanced to the semifinals. The Bulldogs ended their season, but they left the field with a winning record of 6-4.

Senior quarterback Braylen Bowsher completed six of 22 attempts for 208 yards passing. He also added 19 yards rushing. The Bulldogs as a team accrued 58 yards rushing for a total of 266 yards. Dell Rapids had 62 yards passing and 338 yards rushing for a total of 400 yards. Milbank had three turnovers and Dell Rapids committed two.

Individually for Milbank, Bennett Hunt gained 17 yards rushing. Rick and Lance Engebretson each added 14. Rick had four receptions for a total of 131 yards, including one touchdown. Mason Allen pulled down two receptions for 77 yards. 

Franklin Pederson kicked one PAT through the posts.  Pederson also engineered three kickoffs for 93 yards –his longest at 33 yards. Senior Layten Osowski kicked five punts for an average of 30 yards – his longest at 40 yards.

Hunt and senior Ethan Owen led the Bulldogs with 10 tackles apiece. They each had two assists, and Hunt recorded one for a loss. Senior Carter Gloe made five tackles and one assist – one for a loss. Senior Micah Tostenson made five tackles – one for a loss and one sack. Senior Hunter Reede secured four tackles –one for a loss. Osowski flattened three opponents. Allen had two tackles and an assist. Rick, Bowsher, senior Ryan Keeton, Ethan Seyer, and Liam Street each brought down one Quarrier.

Kudos also go to the Bulldog coaches: head coach Mick Thompson, assistant coach Jeffrey Trap,  assistant coach Brian Pauli, assistant coach Brian Sandvig, assistant coach Brody Gilbertson, and assistant coach Carter Bowsher.

Milbank  7    0    0     6     13

Dell R.    7    7   14   10    38