Decorah’s Brady Benzing (2), Andrew Rhodes (42) and Dakota Johnson (11) clear a path for Gavin Groux to run against Marion Friday night. (Photo courtesy of Amy Averhoff)
It all came down to what the teams could and couldn’t do in the fourth quarter as the Class 4A No. 5 Decorah football team (5-2, 2-1) fell to 12th-ranked Marion (5-2, 2-1) at home Friday 28-21.
“It was a tough loss. We made many great plays and moved the ball well. We fought to come back twice but could not finish things with another score. It was truly a four-quarter game. Our penalties seemed to hurt us more than theirs hurt them,” said Coach Pat Trewin.
Back and forth
Taking nearly 10 minutes off the clock in the first quarter, Marion was the first to cross the goal line on a drive that took 16 plays and went 84 yards. Getting the ball on their first possession at their own 27-yard line, the Vikes needed just four plays before Louis Bucksa connected with Gavin Groux for a 34-yard touchdown pass to even the score at 7-7.
A second-quarter interception allowed the Wolves to take a 14-7 lead. Clock management was important late in the period with Decorah getting the ball back with 33.7 seconds in the half that resulted in a Bucksa to Milburn touchdown pass and a 14-14 knotted score.
In the second half, the two squads traded touchdowns with Marion scoring on a 30-yard pass but failing to convert for the two points. A 51-yard carry by Dakota Johnson and a Brayden Wemark PAT put the Vikes on top 21-20 with 12:00 minutes to play. As the ball was traded back and forth it came down to the final possession for the Wolves that went 84 yards in 13 plays for the final score of the game.
A rough night
Decorah picked up 183 yards rushing and another 117 in passing for 300 total, while Marion moved the pigskin for 347 total yards.
Johnson again had the big game for the Vikes, rushing 14 times for 99 yards. Groux carried the ball 13 times for 61 yards. Bucksa completed 8-of-16 passes for 116 yards. Groux caught two of them for 68 yards.
Defensively, Trevor Kuennen led the way with four solo and six assisted tackles. Brady Benzing was there for six solo and three assisted stops. Johnson made five solo tackles and one assist.
Another game
Decorah will look to get back on track Friday, Oct. 13, at Western Dubuque at 7 p.m.
“We need to pick ourselves up and prepare for the district leader. They are a very big team with a running back who is one of the leading rushers in the state. We will need to score and find a way to slow down their running game. It is a really big game,” concluded Coach Trewin.
Game stats
Total yards: Decorah 300; Marion 347
Passing (comp/att/yds): Louis Bucksa (8-16, 116 yds., 2 TD, 1 INT); Tommy Sexton (1-2, 1 yd.)
Rushing (att/yds): Dakota Johnson (14-99, 1 TD); Gavin Groux (13-61); Sexton (9-49); Bucksa (4-(-26))
Receiving (att/yds/TD): Groux (4-68, 1 TD); Noah Milburn (2-18, 1 TD); Johnson (1-11); Creed Monroe (1-7); Trevor Kuennen (1-1)
Tackles (solo/assist): T. Kuennen (4-6); Brady Benzing (6-3); Johnson (5-1); Kaiden Quandahl (4-1); Jeron Feuerhelm (2-3); Groux (2-2); Gatlin Dahlberg (3-1); Kelley Gates (2-1); Brady Bohner (1-2); Andrew Rhodes (1-1); Creed Monroe (1-0); Keaton Orris (1-0); William Hahn (1-0); Caleb Krieg (0-1)
Punts (att/yds): Milburn (4-122)
Kick-offs (att/yds): Brayden Wemark (4-170)
Kick-off returns (att/yds): Groux (5-120)
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