WILLMAR - Definitly defense!
That was the difference as Ridgewater College licked The Fergus Falls Spartans 20-6 on a supreme fall day Saturday 20-6 in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference before 147 paid at Hodapp Field.
The Warriors' defense denied the winless visitors time and again in the second half after the offense turned the ball over (4 times) or a major penalty provide good field position.
The Spartans lone score was on a deflected pass at the Ridgewater 10 picked off and returned by 327-pound tackle Brandon Solebo, making it 13-6 early in the third quarter.
The Warriors led 13-0 at the break on a 20-yard sidelines run by Raumello Cooper and a 76-yard connection of quarterback Maxwell Taylor and wide receiver Taylor Howell who made a leaping catch in full stride at the Fergus 35 and outran the defense to the end zone.
ADVERTISEMENT
Taylor added a cushion with a keeper with about a minute left. The drive was fueled by a 39-yard run by Pierce Novak to the Spartans' 25, followed by his two bullish runs, carrying tacklers each time.
The Warriors' gave up rushing yards to quarterback Nelson Valerio but secondary coverage was so tight the Milwaukee product was sacked numerous times. The Spartans also made good gains through the air, at times, but the resilient defense never buckled.
The Warriors (2-3) host Northland at 1:30 pm Saturday.
