Bulldogs Take Loss From Dell Rapids But Ready for HOCO 

Milbank allowed Dell Rapids to take the win 43-7 at the Quarriers’ HOCO game on Friday September 18. Both teams came into the game at 2-1 this season. Dell Rapids stood at No. 6 in 11A tied with Madison. They had sustained a loss to Canton the previous week. Millbank’s only loss this season came from West Central on September 4.

Dell Rapids won the toss, but deferred to Milbank. Carson Vanderwerf, working for the Dell Rapids defense, nabbed a 10-yard interception and without the Bulldog D on the field, returned it for a touchdown in the opening minute of the game. Connor Jones kicked the extra point  to give the Quarriers an early 7-0 lead. That score stuck around until the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Dell Rapids added two more touchdowns – both by Jace Brende – in the last three minutes of the half. Two successful PATs by Jones followed to give the Quarriers a 21-0 lead during the halftime festivities.  

The Bulldogs were fired up after the break, but  Dell Rapids’ managed an early 63-yard touchdown run by Jackson Peppel to deflate Milbank’s confidence and extend the Quarriers’ lead to 27-0. The extra point attempt failed. 

Dell Rapids quarterback Hayden Hansen also added an 87-yard touchdown pass to Peppel for a TD with just over five minutes to go in the third to seriously wound the Bulldogs. The  two-point conversion put the Quarriers up 35-0. 

Milbank was loaded for bear when they set up for the kick-off and they charged ahead. Bennett Hunt secured the ball on the kick and carried it 83 yards to the house. The Bulldogs lit up the board with six points. Franklin Pederson kicked it through the posts to get the Dawgs to seven points at 35-7.

In the fourth quarter, Milbank fumbled a snap and Dell Rapids acquired a safety for two points. The score moved to 37-7. The Quarriers’ defense finished by adding another touchdown, but Milbank blocked their extra point attempt. A lot of laundry from both teams ended up on the field near the end of the game, but the final score remained at 43-7.

Milbank finished with 165 yards of offense, 133 yards passing and 32 yards rushing. Dell Rapids accrued 397 yards of total offense with  99 passing yards and 298 rushing. Sam Rick led the Bulldogs with 10 receptions for 103 yards.

For the defense, Hunt led Milbank with five tackles and five assists. Scoular also had five tackles. He added four assists. Kale Wenzl recorded three tackles and five assists. Brady Allen made three tackles, four assists, and forced one fumble. 

Ethan Seyer got  three tackles and two assists. Mason Allen had three tackles and one assist.  Bryton Blauert made two tackles. Lance Engebretson had one tackle and one assist. Bailly Smith and Julian Van Veen each made one tackle. Liam Street got in on one assist. Blauert made the Bulldogs only sack.

What’s next? The Bulldogs take on the Lennox Orioles in Milbank’s HOCO game this Friday, September 25. Kick-Off is 7 p.m.