Decorah’s Creed Monroe (14) waits for the ball to come as a Cadet defender looks to break up a pass. (Photo courtesy of Nate Troy/Cresco Times Plain Dealer)
“It was a very physical game and in rivalry games like this, you cannot overlook anybody and our team did not do that. We are happy to get the win. They made many great plays and we were able to make a few more,” said Viking head football coach Pat Trewin following Decorah’s win 34-6 over Crestwood Friday night.
How it went
The Vikings put together a solid game with four rushing touchdowns and an interception return.
Decorah struck for three scores in the first quarter with Tommy Sexton capping off the opening possession with a six yards out to finish the 10-play 67-yard drive. After kicking off to the Cadets, Gavin Groux grabbed an 18-yard pick-six to put Decorah on top 14-0. Dakota Johnson also scored in the opening quarter on a three-yard scamper and a 20-0 Viking lead. Jeron Feuerhelm added to the Viking advantage with a two-yard dive over the goal line in the second for a 27-0 halftime lead.
A scoreless third quarter followed the break. Johnson broke away from the line and was off to the house for a 76-yard touchdown run to conclude the Vikings scoring in fourth period. It was late in the final quarter before the Cadets put their lone points on the board.
A numbers game
Offensive yards were nearly even for the two NEIC squads with Decorah piling up 295 to Crestwood’s 284.
“Our line play improved, especially along the defensive front. Also, with their blitzing, they were able to blow up a few plays, but we picked things up better than the previous two weeks,” said Coach Trewin.
Johnson led the team in rushing with 146 yards on 16 carries. Sexton was 8-for-14 for 69 yards passing and had another 41 yards rushing on 14 carries.
On defense, Gatlin Dahlberg led the way with four solo tackles and three assists, along with one sack and one interception. William Hahn had five solo stops and two assists while Trevor Kuennen tallied four solo tackles and two assists.
On the road Friday
This week Decorah plays a talented Independence team on the road Friday, Sept. 15, at 7:30 p.m.
“They have video game-like numbers. They had a tough game against Waukon and will be hungry to get on the winning track at home. Independence is an exciting place to play with music, smoke and that horse running across the field. We will need to be steady,” noted Coach Trewin.
Scoring sequence
1st Quarter
Decorah – Tommy Sexton 6-yd. run (Brayden Wemark PAT)
Decorah – Gavin Groux 18-yd. interception (Wemark PAT)
Decorah – Dakota Johnson 3-yd run (PAT failed)
2nd Quarter
Decorah – Jeron Feuerhelm 2-yd. run (Wemark PAT)
3rd Quarter
None
4th Quarter
Decorah – Johnson 76-yd. run (Wemark PAT)
Crestwood – Dylan Shelton 5-yd. run (2-pt. pass failed)
Game stats
Total yards: Decorah 295; Crestwood 284
Passing (comp/att/yds): Tommy Sexton (8-14, 69 yds., 2 INT)
Rushing (att/yds): Gavin Groux (2-9); Jeron Feuerhelm (4-33, 1 TD); Dakota Johnson (16-146, 2 TD); Sexton (14-41, 1 TD); Louis Bucksa (1-(-2)
Receiving (att/yds/TD): Brady Benzing (4-39); Noah Milburn (2-12); Jackson Pipho (3-10); Creed Monroe (1-0)
Tackles (solo/assist): Benzing (4-1); Groux (1-0); Feuerhelm (3-3); Johnson (0-1); Monroe (2-1); Gatlin Dahlberg (4-3); Carter Dlhy (3-1); Cade Averhoff (2-0); Trevor Kuennen (4-2); Andrew Rhodes (2-0); Bradan Darling (0-2); Brody Hanson (1-1); Kadin Remick (2-1); Brady Bohner (0-2); Keaton Orris (3-1); William Hahn (5-2); Pipho (2-1); Caleb Krieg (2-1); Kelley Gates (3-1); Milburn (3-0)
Interceptions (no/return yds): Groux (1-18, 1 TD); Dahlberg (1-14)
Punts (att/yds): Milburn (2-72)
Punt returns (att/yds): Groux (1-27); Quandahl (1-21)
Kick-offs (att/yds): Brayden Wemark (6-312)
Kick-off returns (att/yds): Groux (2-30)
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