The Baltic Bulldogs had their 2026 home opener end in heartbreak on Friday, August 28th. The Sioux Falls Lutheran Eagles held on for a 22-20 win after a failed two-point conversion attempt with no time left on the clock by the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs struck first with 4:15 to go in the opening quarter. Elias Oakley threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Campbell for a 6-0 lead. Brechen Frederick added to the lead with a 29-yard touchdown run with :32 remaining in the quarter. The two-point conversion was good, and Baltic led 14-0 after the first quarter.
The Eagles cut into the lead with 3:50 to play in the second quarter. They had a 35-yard touchdown pass to make the score 14-6. The score remained 14-6 at halftime. Sioux Falls Lutheran would tie the game, 14-14, with 9:46 to go in the third on a 10-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion. The Eagles would take the lead late in the fourth quarter. With 5:27 to play, they scored on a two-yard run. The two-point conversion was good to put them in front 22-14.
The Bulldogs were able to drive down the field. They snapped the ball with second remaining, and Frederick pushed his way into the end zone from three yards away as time expired to make the score 22-20. The Bulldogs had a chance to tie with a two-point conversion attempt. They appeared to score the game-tying conversion, but a penalty negated the conversion forcing them to try again. The second attempt was stopped, and the Eagles held for the win.
