By Becky Walz,
After the first quarter, no one could predict what was to come as the Decorah football team (7-0, 3-0) came together to dominate the gridiron at Marion (2-5, 1-2) Friday night, picking up its seventh win of the season and remaining undefeated in district play, 57-14.
The win sets up a big showdown in Decorah as the Vikings host Western Dubuque (5-2, 2-1) in what could be the link to claiming the Class 4A District 2 title.
“Our kids did a great job of being patient and sticking together during the first quarter of the game. Marion came out and was extremely aggressive and physical on defense. They are very good on that side of the ball. Our defense and special teams were outstanding all night and once we got our offense going good things started to happen,” said coach Mike Tangen. “I am really proud of our group and the team that we are becoming. They truly have come together and play for each other. The results are great but I am more excited about how we have been preparing during the week and the way our guys care about each other and play for each other.”
Solid defense
After a scoreless first quarter, the Vikings finally got in the end zone with a 64-yard pass from Louis Bucksa to Will Larson at the 9:36 mark. Less than a minute later, the Marion Wolves had their own long strike for a 79-yard touchdown pass, knotting the score 7-7. From there it was a flurry of scoring for Decorah as Trevor Kuennen came up with an interception and Bucksa fired a bullet to Noah Milburn for a 25-yard touchdown pass. On top 14-7, Bucksa threw another strike, this time to Tommy Sexton for a 16-yard touchdown with 4:11 remaining. Kuennen came up with a big pick-six and his second interception of the game, just one play into the Wolves’ possession at the 4:10 mark giving Decorah a 29-7 lead. However, the Vikings were far from done in the second as Gavin Groux caught an 11-yard pass with 1:17 to play, giving Decorah a 36-7 lead at halftime.
Having already thrown a quartet of touchdown passes, it was Bucksa’s time to score in the third as the senior quarterback plunged through the defense from the Wolves’ 1-yard line putting Decorah on top 43-7. Sexton put the exclamation point on the quarter just over a minute later with his own pick-six.
With the point spread over 35, the continuous clock was set in motion, allowing Decorah to run the time down with its rushing game as many players came off the sidelines to pick up minutes on the gridiron. Stepping into the quarterback role, Tanner Caddell eventually weaved through traffic for a 38-yard touchdown run and conclude the scoring for the Vikes who had scored 50 unanswered points. Marion managed one more time to enter the end zone with 55 ticks on the clock after its inability to stop Decorah through the middle part of the game.
Doing enough
The Vikes passed for 239 yards and had 345 total. Marion picked up 320 yards.
Will Larson led the offense with 94 yards receiving on three catches while Gavin Groux caught two passes for 62 yards. Tanner Caddell led the ground force with four carries for 61 yards while Louis Bucksa completed 9-of-13 passes for 239 yards and four scores.
It was a group defensive effort with Trevor Kuennen and Tommy Sexton picking off two passes each. Both Vikings scored on one of their interceptions. Sexton led the tackle charts as well with six solo and four assists tackles with a pair of solo stops for a loss. Kuennen provided five solo and three assists stops.
Maintaining the lead
It will be a big battle Friday in the final regular season home game of the year.
Western Dubuque is averaging 22.0 points per game while the Vikes have put up 34.0 points per game. Defensively, Decorah is giving up 12.57 points a night while the Bobcats are allowing 14.29. Western Dubuque has won the last two matchups; however, the Vikings lead the series 8-4 and will look to remain on top of the district.
Game stats
Total yards: Decorah 345; Marion 320
Passing (comp/att/yds): Louis Bucksa (9-13, 239 yds., 4 TDs)
Rushing (att/yds): Tanner Caddell (4-61, 1 TD); Gavin Groux (4-24); Will Larson (4-15); Mason Avila (4-12); Bucksa (1-1, 1 TD); Trevor Kuennen (3-(-4)); Archer Sims (3-(-2))
Receiving (att/yds/TD): Larson (3-94, 1 TD); Groux (2-62, 1 TD); Carter Dlhy (1-35); Noah Milburn (1-25, 1 TD); Tommy Sexton (1-16, 1 TD); Kuennen (1-7)
Tackles (total): Sexton (8.0); Kuennen (6.5); Landon Quandahl (5.0); Jackson Pipho (4.5); Gatlin Dahlberg (4.0); William Hahn (3.5); Groux (2.5); Jameson LaBelle (2.5); Dlhy (2.0); Bradan Darling (2.0); Ian Giddings (2.0); Larson (1.5); Kade O’Hara (1.5); Henry Brynsaas (1.5); Keaton Orris (1.5); Joshua Adam (1.0); Avila (1.0); Nathan Friend (1.0); Cash Riehle (1.0); Anthony Putnam (!.0); Caleb Krieg (0.5); Caddell (0.5); Luke Franzen (0.5); Caleb Johnson (0.5)
Interceptions (no/return yds): Sexton (2-69, 1 TD); Kuennen (2-31, 1 TD)
Punts (att/yds): Milburn (4-172)
Punt returns (att/yds): Avila (3-62)
Kick-offs (att/yds): Brayden Wemark (9-452 yds., 2 TB, 7-7 PAT)
Kick-off returns (att/yds): Avila (1-24)
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