The De Smet Bulldog football team had their final regular season game in Estelline against the Estelline/Hendricks Redhawks on Friday, October 18th. After a tie score at halftime, the Bulldogs controlled the second half for a 28-14 win to finish the regular season with a 4-4 record.
Both teams kept the ball mostly on the ground in the first quarter, and the quarter ended in a scoreless tie. Slayton Wilkinson put the Bulldogs on the board first with a three-yard touchdown run with 11:18 to play in the second quarter. The Redhawks tied the game, 6-6, on a 29-yard screen pass for a touchdown on their next possession.
Wilkinson scored his second touchdown of the game on a 25-yard run. Brody Halverson then threw a pass to Tanner Tolzin for the two-point conversion to put the Bulldogs ahead 14-6 late in the second quarter. Estelline/Hendricks scored right before halftime on a 34-yard screen pass. They also made the two-point conversion to tie the score 14-14. The score remained 14-14 at halftime.
Wilkinson put the Bulldogs in front on their opening drive of the second half. With 9:48 to play in the third quarter, he had a 33-yard touchdown run. Gannon Gilligan scored the two-point conversion for a 22-14 lead. The Redhawks fumbled on their next drive, which was recovered by Ganon Henrich. De Smet took advantage of the turnover. Gilligan had a two-yard touchdown run extending the Bulldog lead to 28-14. That would end up being the final score the game.
The Bulldogs will play #5 Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy in the opening round of the 9AA playoffs on Thursday, October 24th.
