Bulldogs Shutout Groton 19-0

The Bulldogs got their second win of the season on the road in a 19-0 shutout against Groton on Friday, September 12. Despite the muggy, late summer heat, the Bulldogs seemed ready, focused, and confident. Milbank’s offense set the pace and executed some big plays. In solidarity, the Bulldog defense stopped the Tigers in their tracks. They denied Groton the chance to score –or even get close.

Mason Allen jumpstarted Milbank’s offense when he returned a punt six yards to get the Bulldogs to Groton’s 40-yard line with under a minute to go in the first quarter. Quarterback Braylen Bowsher then zeroed in on Esteban Abrego, who was wide open downfield. Bowsher unloaded a 40-yard bomb. Abrego grabbed it and bolted into the endzone for the touchdown. With 24 seconds on the clock, Franklin Pederson kicked it between the posts to secure the extra point. The Bulldogs lit up the scoreboard at 7-0.

Early in the second quarter, Groton had possession, but fumbled. Milbank’s Ethan Seyer was right there to recover it and give Milbank a first down at the 32-yard line. Bowsher worked it to the 17 to offer the Dawgs another fresh set of downs.  Bowsher’s next pass to Abrego was batted down by Groton and ruled incomplete. On second and 10, Bowsher orchestrated a classic quarterback keeper to run 17 yards for the TD. The extra point kick was not good, but Milbank upped their lead to 13-0.

The rest of the first half was a bit of a grind for both teams..Milbank fumbled, but shortly after, Allen snagged an interception to get the football back for the Bulldogs. Milbank was charged with pass interference, and Groton had consecutive penalties for holding and offside. The score remained at 13-0 going into the halftime celebration of Senior Night for the Tigers.

In the third quarter, with 8:22 remaining on the clock, Groton’s Ryder Johnson intercepted a Bulldog pass, but the Tigers could not control the ball for long. On second down and three, they were cited for holding. The backward movement combined with added pressure from the Bulldogs’ defense helped Allen to pick off the ball and take it down to the 32-yard line. Sam Rick went up to receive a long pass, but it was knocked down by Tiger Lincoln Krause.  Bowsher then made it nine yards for third and one. He also got four more yards for a first down, but had to take a four-yard loss on the next snap.  Bowsher eventually got  it down to first and goal at the nine-yard line. Bennett Hunt then carried it to the two-yard line. Back in the huddle, Bowsher handed off to Zack Karges, who scored the Bulldogs’ third TD of the night. The touchdown pushed the Bulldogs lead to 19-0. Unfortunately,  the two-point conversion was no good and Milbank was charged with unsportsmanlike conduct for a 25-yard  penalty that was enforced on the punt.

In  the final quarter, the excitement centered around a Groton fumble recovered by  Emmett Snaza. It was followed by a fumble by the Bulldogs on a third and 13 with just over four minutes left in the game. The Bulldogs recovered their own fumble to earn the opportunity to punt. After the return, the Tigers continued to battle, but the Bulldogs shut them down and out. The final score was 19-0 

Bowsher made seven of 16 attempts passing for 89 yards. He  added 71 yards rushing, including one touchdown. Lance Engebretson acquired 21 yards rushing. Hunt had 13. Karges had 12, including a touchdown. Ethan Owen made nine. Rick made five receptions for 53 yards. Abrego had two for 36 yards. 

Hunt, Layten Osowski, and Seyer led the Bulldogs in tackles with five apiece. Hunt and Osowski each had two for a loss and Osowski added a sack. Owen had four with one for a loss. Bowsher and Abrego each made three with one each for a loss. Max Scoular and Evan Henderson each made two. Lance Engebretson, Rick, Micah Tostenson, Allen, Snaza, Carter Gloe, Lawson Novy, and Ryan Keeton each had one.

Milbank accrued 214 yards –89 passing and 126 rushing. Groton accumulated 71 yards–32 passing and 39 rushing.

The Bulldogs led by head coach Mick Thompson, improved their season record to 2-1. Groton dropped  to 1-3.

What’s next? The Bulldogs go back on the road to face Dell Rapids this Friday, September 19. The Quarriers sit at 1-2 so far this season with a win against Sioux Falls Christian and losses to Dakota Valley and Madison. Kickoff is 7 p.m.