Gators Beat By Bearcats

In the early game of Week 8 Top of the State Conference football action, the 4 – 3 Gators made the trip  to Lancaster to take on the Kittson County Central Bearcats in a pivotal contest for section seeding. The Gators were plagued by injuries and missed assignments in the contest in dropping the game by a score of 42 – 8.

The Gators received the opening kickoff and quickly drove the ball downfield on the ground with senior fullback Alex Rhen and senior quarterback Jacquan Rhen. After a 9 play drive, the Gator offense fizzled out on the Bearcat 27 yard line. The Bearcats quickly drove downfield and scored on a long pass to open the scoring at 6 – 0. For the rest of the first half, it was all Bearcats as the Gators turned the ball over multiple times and gave the Bearcats a short field with which to work. Unfortunately for the Gators, the first half also ended junior tight end/linebacker Brayden Larson’s season as he went down with a broken leg making a catch a key 3^rd and long. At the half, the Bearcats led by a score of 20 – 0.

In the second half, the Gators found some momentum and put together a scoring drive highlighted by key receptions by senior Tanner Creviston to continue the Gator drive. Quarterback Jacquan Rhen scored the Gators lone touchdown on the afternoon on a quarterback draw from 12 yards out. After a successful conversion reception by senior Tyler Bentow, the Gators narrowed the margin to 34 – 8. The Bearcats scored once more on the afternoon to finish the scoring at 42 – 8.

The Gators were led offensively by Alex Rhen who had 19 carries for 60 yards on the afternoon and Jacquan Rhen who was 10 – 25 passing for 124 yards. The leading receiver for the Gators was Tanner Creviston who had 4 receptions for 54 yards. Defensively, the Gators were led by freshman linebacker Joe Hlucny who had a stand out debut in making 13 tackles, recovering a fumble, and intercepting a pass in relief of injured linebacker Brayden Larson.

With the loss, the Gators finish their regular season at 4 – 4 and earn the #6 seed in Section 8 9-Man football. The Gators are in action next on Tuesday 10/23 at 7:00 pm in Erskine as they take on the #3 seed Win-E-Mac Patriots in Section 8 9-Man quarterfinal action.

Week 8 Scores : Top of the State Conference

            BGMR                                      8          Kittson County Central            42

            Stephen-Argyle                       33        Clearbrook-Gonvick                6

Northern Freeze                      28        Climax-Fisher                          19

Grygla-Goodridge                   47        Sacred Heart                           6

Top of the State Conference Final Standings

TEAM                                      WIN                 LOSS

Stephen-Argyle                       8                      0

Goodridge/Grygla                   7                      1

Kittson County Central            5                      3

Clearbrook-Gonvick                5                      3

BGMR                                      4                      4

Northern Freeze                      2                      6

Climax/Fisher                          2                      6

Sacred Heart                           0                      8

Section 8 9-Man Playoff Seeding

#1        Stephen-Argyle (8 – 0)

#2        Goodridge-Grygla (7 – 1)

#3        Win-E-Mac (6 – 2)

#4        Kittson County Central (5 – 3)

#5        Clearbrook-Gonvick (5 – 3)

#6        BGMR (4 – 4)

#7        Climax-Fisher (2 – 6)

#8        Sacred Heart (0 – 8)

Section 8 Quarterfinal Matchups

Tuesday October 23^rd

#8 Sacred Heart @ #1 Stephen-Argyle 7:00 (Argyle)

#7 Climax-Fisher @ #2 Goodridge-Grygla 3:00 (Goodridge)

#6 BGMR @ #3 Win-E-Mac 7:00 (Erskine)

#5 Clearbrook-Gonvick @ #4 Kittson County Central 7:00 (Hallock)

 

VARSITY PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Joe Hlucny, a freshman running back/linebacker is the varsity player of the week for the Kittson County Central game week. Playing in relief, Joe had 13 tackles, a fumble recovery, and an interception in a standout debut to lead the Gators in tackles for the contest. “Joe stepped up and played a heck of a game for us,” said Coach Solberg of Hlucny. Joe is the son of Doug and Teresa Hlucny.

SCOUT TEAM PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Nels Wicklund, a junior tight end/linebacker is the scout team player of the week for the Kittson County Central game week. “Nels has done a great job in his first year back to football after a couple of seasons off. Nels has been at each and every practice all year and has been a staple on our scout team,” said Coach Solberg of Wicklund. Nels is the son of Dale and Annette Wicklund.