Head Coach Pat Trewin talks to the Viking team during a timeout in play. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Becky Walz)
Things were clicking Friday night for the Decorah football team (2-0, 0-0) as the Vikes defeated West Delaware (0-2), a team that had beaten the Vikes handily the past two seasons. A pair of second quarter touchdowns lifted the Vikes to a 21-7 win over the Hawks at home.
A little review
It was a battle in the trenches as both defenses stole the show with a scoreless opening quarter that saw the Vikes punt four times and the Hawks three in addition to turning the ball over on downs.
Decorah’s offense broke through in the second period on a 10-play drive that ended in the end zone with Dakota Johnson busting through the line, followed by a Brayden Wemark PAT, and the Vikes had a 7-0 lead. On its next possession, Tommy Sexton capped off a four-play, 66-yard drive in the end zone, pushing Decorah out front 14-0 at the half.
Neither team could get momentum on their side in the third quarter, but a 79 yard run by Johnson put an exclamation point on the game in the fourth, with a 21-0 Viking lead. The two squads traded fumbles late in the final period, leading to a West Delaware touchdown and ultimately a 21-7 Decorah victory.
Stats sheet
The Vikes ground out 176 yards rushing and 9 passing, for 185 total. West Delaware had 222 total yards of offense.
Offensively, Dakota Johnson raced 14 times for 120 yards. Sexton had 38 yards on 18 carries, while Jeron Feuerhelm had six touches of the pigskin for nine yards. Sexton completed five passes, with Gavin Groux hauling in three for 74 yards.
On defense, Brady Benzing led the way with four solo tackles and three assists, while Keaton Orris finished the night with five solo tackles, including two for a loss. Johnson also had five solo stops, with William Hahn and Noah Milburn each tallying four solo tackles.
Scoring sequence
1st Quarter
None
2nd Quarter
Decorah – Dakota Johnson 1-yd. run (Brayden Wemark PAT)
Decorah – Tommy Sexton 7-yd. run (Wemark PAT)
3rd Quarter
None
4th Quarter
Decorah – Johnson 79-yd. run (Wemark PAT)
WD – 33-yd. pass (PAT)
Game stats
Total yards: Decorah 185; West Delaware 222
Passing (comp/att/yds): Tommy Sexton (5-8, 79 yds.)
Rushing (att/yds): Dakota Johnson (14-120, 2 TD); Sexton (18-38, 1 TD); Jeron Feuerhelm (6-9)
Receiving (att/yds/TD): Gavin Groux (3-74); Noah Milburn (1-6); Trevor Kuennen (1-(-1))
Tackles (total): Brady Benzing (5.5); Keaton Orris (5.5); Johnson (5.0); Milburn (4.5); William Hahn (4.0); Gatlin Dahlberg (3.5). T. Kuennen (3.5); Feuerhelm (3.0); Andrew Rhodes (3.0); Groux (2.0); Cash Riehle (2.0); Kelley Gates (2.0); Kaiden Quandahl (1.5)
Fumble recoveries: Rhodes 1
Punts (att/yds): Milburn (7-266)
Punt returns (att/yds): Groux (1-5); Quandahl (1-0)
Kick-offs (att/yds): Brayden Wemark (4-217, 2 TB, 3 PAT)
Kick-off returns (att/yds): Benzing (1-9)
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