The Tri-Valley Mustangs scored a big win on the gridiron Friday, August 27th. The Mustangs won a back-and-forth game 21-20 on the road against the Dakota Valley Panthers.
The Panthers scored first in the opening quarter. Randy Rosenquist caught a 22-yard pass from Ethan Anema. The extra point was no good, but the Panthers led 6-0 after the first quarter. Tri-Valley tied the game in the second quarter. Isaac McFarland had an eight-yard touchdown run with the extra point no good. The Panthers, however, regained the lead prior to halftime. Rosenquist caught another touchdown pass from anema, this time from 29 yards, to put Dakota Valley in front 12-6 at halftime.
Each team scored again in the third quarter. The Mustangs scored first. Eli McFarland had a five-yard touchdown run, and then I. McFarland scored the two-point conversion for a 14-12 lead. The Panthers answered again. Anema and Rosenquist connected for their third touchdown from 18 yards away. Brodey Ballinger scored the two-point conversion to put the Panthers back in in front 20-14.
The Mustangs would get the game winning score in the fourth quarter. Jaden Siemonsma had a five-yard touchdown run, and Reese Smith made the extra point to give Tri-Valley the lead 21-20. The Mustang defense got a strip sack and then the offense was able to kneel down to run out the clock for the win.
I. McFarland had nine carries for 100 yards and a touchdown. Siemonsma had 10 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown. E. McFarland had a rushing touchdown and was also 1-1 passing for 64 yards. Lawson Loiseau had the 64-yard reception. I. McFarland had seven tackles and a sack. Austin McNulty had seven tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery. Brandon Havlovic had six tackles and two sacks. Tyler Groenewald also had six tackles and two sacks. Tyason VanDerVleit finished with six tackles. Isaac Nehlich had five tackles and two sacks. Mason Hendrixson, Loiseau, and Caden Reuter all had a fumble recovery. Connor Christensen had a sack and a forced fumble.