Loss to Orioles Gets Bulldogs Fired Up to Take on Dakota Valley

The Bulldogs go south tomorrow, Friday, October 2, to take on Dakota Valley in North Sioux City. The Panthers sit at 1-4 this season and are coming off a loss to Madison last Friday. They also took hits from West Central, Canton, and Elk-Point Jefferson. Their only win came two weeks ago in a blowout against Custer. Milbank sits at 2-3 so far this season, and they are hungry to add another win. Bulldog fans can expect a great match up. Kick-off is 7 p.m.

In their latest appearance, Milbank faced Lennox, the returning state champions, in the Bulldogs’ Homecoming game on Friday, September 25. During the pre-game festivities, the HoCo royalty were introduced, the American Legion presented the colors on the “M” at the 50-yard line, and the band, under the direction of Susan Karels, played a rousing rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner”. Lennox won the coin toss, but deferred to Milbank.

In their first possession, Milbank twice got a reprieve on third down when the Orioles were dinged for penalties, but the third time was not the charm, and the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs. 

A very physical Orioles offense pushed their way down the field to end Lennox’s first sequence with a 40-yard touchdown. Milbank’s defense stood at the gate to prevent the 2-point conversion, but Lennox was up 6-0 with the clock at just 7:45 in the first quarter. 

Milbank quarterback Lincoln Holscher then connected with Sam Rick on a solid pass, but Rick had it ripped from his grasp by Oriole Mavrick Stockwell. Lennox eventually got it into the endzone for a TD, and they added a 2-point play to go up 14-0. With under three minutes to go in the quarter, Lennox struck again with a touchdown on third and goal that stretched Lennox’s lead to 20-0. Their 2-point conversion play, however, was denied by the Bulldogs.

On the kick-off, Max Scoular maneuvered the Bulldogs into good field position. With 47 seconds remaining in the first, Holscher sent a pass to Sam Rick. Rick collected it, and In a twist on a typical play, he passed the ball again to Mason Allen.  Allen swooped in for a 5-yard TD.  Franklin Pederson launched the extra point kick up and in to take the score to 20-7 and get Milbank back in the game.

Lennox had the ball to start the second quarter and continued from third and one into the endzone for another TD to put the score at 26-7. The Orioles opted for a 2-point  play and quarterback Cayden Huls took it across the line himself to put Lennox up 28-7. In spite of a penalty and Bulldog defenders coming from all directions, Lennox managed to force themselves over the line to create 34-7 gap.  A 2-point conversion put them on top 36-7.

As the half started to wind down, both teams were forced to punt. In a burst of power, just after  the three-minute mark, Holscher got the ball to Rick. In a heartstopping  65-yard run to the house, Rick secured the TD. Pederson kicked it through the posts again to get the score to 36-14. 

With just 14 seconds remaining in the same quarter, Lennox pulled a fast one and got a 15-yard touchdown. The extra point attempt was not good. At the halftime break, the Bulldogs were trailing 42-14. In the final minutes of the game, Lennox added another touchdown and an extra point kick to take the win at 49-14.

Milbank accrued a total of 154 yards – 150 passing and four yards rushing. Lennox acquired 449 yards – 230 passing and 219 rushing. Holscher completed 12 of 30 with one touchdown for 130 yards. Brock Sime completed one of one for 20 yards. Rick made nine receptions for 122 yards, including a touchdown. Liam Street got three receptions for 22 yards. Lance Engebretson pulled in one for six yards. Milbank recorded two Lennox fumbles and recorded a sack. No defensive/tackle statistics were available.