Free at last... Bulldogs end 25-game D-SC losing streak
By Brett Hart, Sports Editor
Sunday, September 28, 2008 7:09 AM CDT
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Boyceville quarterback Ryan Bloom scrambles to get away from Colfax linebacker David Christoffel in the Bulldogs' first Dunn-St. Croix Conference victory in 26 games Friday night. Photo by Brett Hart/Dunn County News
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Friday was a breakthrough night for two Dunn County football teams as Colfax scored its first offensive touchdown of the season and Boyceville earned its first Dunn-St. Croix Conference win in 26 games as the Bulldogs defeated the Vikings 28-14 on Colfax’s homecoming.
It appeared as though the Vikings would have a happy homecoming as Justin Smith returned the opening kickoff more than 65 yards to the Boyceville 14 yard line. But the Bulldogs’ defense held strong, forcing a turnover on downs at the two-yard line.
A Boyceville punt left Colfax with good field position once again as it started its second possession on the Boyceville 36-yard line. This time the Vikings were able to capitalize on the opportunity as MJ Osterberg scrambled down the right sideline for the full 36 yards on the first play from scrimmage to put Colfax ahead 6-0. Casey Peterson made good on the kick. And the Viking defense took over, forcing a three-and-out situation for the Bulldogs.
Colfax seemed to keep the momentum going on its next drive but ended up recovering its own fumble for a four-yard loss on fourth-and-one at its own 45 yard line.
Boyceville seized the opportunity, unleashing a 16-yard reverse by Jeb Jenkins and a 10-yard scramble by Sam Hayes to set Hayes up for a six-yard rushing touchdown. Colby Dotseth’s extra point kick knotted the score at 7-7.
Determined to keep control of the game, Colfax responded with a 50-yard scoring drive on its next possession, which was capped by a four-yard rumble up the middle by Jack Sampson. Peterson connected again on the point after, leaving the Vikings with a 14-7 advantage.
The following kickoff was fumbled by the Bulldogs and recovered by Colfax’s Cory Yolitz on the Boyceville 29. The Vikings marched the ball down to the five yard line but failed to score before halftime.
At intermission, the Vikings led in every category including 117 yards rushing, 25 yards passing and 14 points on the board while the Bulldogs rushed for 60 yards, had no passing yards and seven points.
Boyceville began the second half with the ball on its own 35 yardline as the Colfax kick rolled out of bounds. Three plays into the drive Dylan Iverson took the ball 30 yards to the Boyceville 30-yard line on a sweep. But the drive was cut short as the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs at the 10 yard line.
After forcing the Vikings into a three-and-out, Boyceville tried again and mounted a 51-yard drive that included a 27-yard run by Jake Hansen and a 17-yard rumble by Hayes. Hayes picked up his second TD of the night on a two yard run with 5:06 remaining in the third quarter. The Bulldogs opted for the two-point conversion, but Iverson’s run was stopped short.
Both teams had trouble holding on to the ball early in the fourth quarter as Boyceville turned the ball over on a fumble on the Colfax five-yard line. Then the Vikings returned the favor with a bad pitch that left Boyceville with the ball a little more than a yard from paydirt, and Ryan Bloom put the Bulldogs ahead for the first time on a quarterback sneak that made the score 19-14, Bulldogs. Boyceville went for two once again, and Hayes found the endzone, increasing the lead to 21-14.
“We haven’t gotten many turnovers,” said Boyceville coach Joe Hellmann. “That was a big one, and it really turned everything around.”
Colfax’s offense shut down the remainder of the game, gaining just three yards total in its next two possessions. Meanwhile Hayes put the nail in the coffin with a 22-yard touchdown run with 2:15 remaining capping a 35-yard drive. Dotseth’s kick left the final tally at 28-14.
Colfax coach John Dachel said, “At crucial points of the game, kids have got to step up and make plays. We didn’t do that”
Boyceville finished with 243 yards on 41 carries while Bloom was 2-for-3 passing for 34 yards. Hayes led the way with 148 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries.
Peterson was 4-for-8 passing for 55 yards while the Vikings picked up 126 yards rushing on 45 carries. Osterberg carried the ball 15 times for 81 yards and a touchdown.
— Look for the complete box score at www.dunnconnect.com.
Boyceville 0 7 6 15 – 28
Colfax 7 7 0 0 – 14
First Quarter
COL – Osterberg 36 run (Peterson kick) 3:46
Second Quarter
BOY – Hayes 6 run (Dotseth kick) 9:01
COL – Sampson 4 run (Peterson kick) 2:52
Third Quarter
BOY - Hayes 2 run (conversion failed) 5:06
Fourth Quarter
BOY - Bloom 2 run (Hayes run) 8:29
BOY – Hayes 22 run (Dotseth kick) 2:15
Individual statistics
RUSHING – Boyceville, Hayes 25-148, Dylan Iverson 5-42, Jake Hansen 4-29, Jeb Jenkins 1-16, Ryan Bloom 6-8. Colfax, Osterberg 15-81, Jack Sampson 10-41, Greg Christoffel 4-12, Justin Smith 2-(-2), Casey Peterson 14-(-6)
PASSING – Boyceville, Bloom 2-3-0 34. Colfax, Peterson 4-8-0 55
RECEIVING – Boyceville, Iverson 1-29, Jenkins 1-5. Colfax, Cory Klukas 2-25, Osterberg 1-21, Adam Nelson 1-9 |
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