MAYNARD — In its first football game in three weeks, MACCRAY struggled against Yellow Medicine East.
The Sting enjoyed a 27-0 halftime advantage before capturing their first victory of the season. They won 34-12 on Friday during a Southwest District West Division game from MACCRAY West Elementary School.
On the weekend of the Wolverines’ season opener against Minneota on Oct. 9, a member of the football team began showing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and later tested positive. Multiple positive tests from teammates and members of the coaching staff followed, resulting in the program canceling three weeks’ worth of games.
While playing sloppily to the tune of 10 penalties, YME took advantage of MACCRAY’s sluggish start. After their defense forced a quick three-and-out and were set up with excellent field position, the Sting needed just two plays to take the lead. Sophomore quarterback Cody Dahlager put the visitors in position to score with a 29-yard run before sophomore running back Nolan Hildahl punched in a 3-yard rush.
ADVERTISEMENT
Later in the first quarter after another Wolverines punt, YME used a trick play for its next score. Senior wide receiver Hunter Wilke was left wide open for a 42-yard touchdown connection from fellow senior Tyler Syring on a wide receiver pass.
In the second quarter, Dahlager added two rushing touchdowns. He finished with 131 yards on 20 rushes.
MACCRAY made it a two-score game in the third quarter. Junior quarterback Isaac Strommer found senior tight end Will Asche on a 19-yard pass. Later, Strommer connected with junior tight end Gavin Husman for a 8-yard score to make it 27-12. However, Hildahl put the game away in the fourth with his second touchdown on a 17-yard run.
YME is host to Russell-Tyler-Ruthton at 7 p.m. Thursday in Granite Falls. MACCRAY plays at the same time. The Wolverines travel to Lakeview High School in Cottonwood.
Southwest (West)
YME 34,
MACCRAY 12
YME (1-4) 13 14 0 7 — 34
MACCRAY (0-2) 0 0 12 0 — 12
Scoring Plays
YME – Nolan Hildahl 3 run (Patrick Hoernemann kick)
YME – Hunter Wilke 42 pass from Tyler Syring (kick blocked)
YME – Cody Dahlager 1 run (Tyler Syring pass from Dahlager)
YME – Dahlager 5 run (kick failed)
M – Will Asche 19 pass from Isaac Strommer (pass failed)
M – Gavin Husman 8 pass from Strommer (pass failed)
YME – Hildahl 17 run (Hoernemann kick)
Yellow Medicine East
First downs: 19 … Penalties: 10-60 … Rushing (Individual and team): Nolan Hildahl 17-83, Cody Dahlager 20-131, Isaac Jimenez 3-11, Tyler Syring 2-5, Luke Kluver 1-16, Oscar Galvan 1-5. 47-234 … Passing (Individual and team): Dahlager 5-11-58-1, Syring 1-1-42-0. 6-12-110-1 ... Receiving (Individual and team): Hunter Wilke 2-60, Hildahl 2-28, Jimenez 1-8, Patrick Hoernemann 1-14 … Interceptions: Wilke 1 … Fumble recoveries: N/A … Tackles (solo-assist): N/A … QB sacks: Four
MACCRAY
First downs: 10 … Penalties: 6-39 … Rushing (Individual and team): Tommy Hoekstra 1-(-8), Isaac Strommer 6-(-6), Dreyer Homan 3-(-1). 11-(-18) … Passing (Individual and team): Strommer 16-40-173-1 ... Receiving (Individual and team): Brady Kienitz 4-31, Will Asche 2-41, Carter Wrede 5-40, Homan 1-(-4), Gavin Husman 4-65 … Interceptions: Isaac Post 1 … Fumble recoveries: Brooks Asche 1, Homan 1, Gabe Sparks 1 … Tackles (solo-assist): Payton Kleinhuizen 4-7, Austin Sweep 4-6, Logan Cronen 1-5, Cody Sumner 3-3 … QB sacks: None
