Dakota Johnson (11) pulls a Waukon player with him into an open field in Decorah’s opener Friday night as Andrew Rhodes (52), Brady Bohner (68) and other Vikings tie up the Indian defense. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Becky Walz)
It was an offensive shootout for the Decorah football team (1-0) Friday night with the Vikes rolling out with nearly 400 yards of offense to defeat Waukon (0-1) at home 32-6.
“This win was a great way to start the season as Waukon is always tough and prepared. They came out and had a couple really good drives, but our defense was able to hold them out of the endzone early on. Coach Tangen had them prepared for the things they traditionally do and what they do is hard to defend,” noted Coach Pat Trewin. “We are proud of the preparation and effort of our guys. It is great to win a rivalry game.”
Light it up
Following a scoreless first quarter, the Vikes went to work, scoring on the first play of the second period on a 75-yard run by Dakota Johnson. Stellar Decorah defense kept Waukon pinned deep in their own territory and forced the Indians to punt from their own end zone, setting up a short field at the Waukon 31-yard line. Five plays later, Viking Gavin Groux found an open path from the 4-yard line across the goal line to give Decorah its second score of the quarter. A fumble recovered by Decorah’s Brody Hanson at the Indian 9-yard line set up the final score of the half with quarterback Louis Bucksa connecting with Kelley Gates, giving the Vikes a 19-0 halftime lead.
Waukon returned to the field in the second half with determination and grit, chewing up 80 yards on the first possession on 12 plays to score its lone touchdown of the game. The Vikings quickly put a plan in motion with Johnson weaving through traffic for a 70-yard touchdown and a 25-6 lead. Decorah’s Johnson capped off the night with his third touchdown run of the game on a 46-yard scamper in the fourth to put an exclamation point on the night and the win, 32-6.
Numbers game
Dakota Johnson and the offensive line had an excellent game with the senior carrying the pigskin for 234 yards. Tommy Sexton was another big rusher with 64 yards on eight carries.
“It has been a long time since we have had a back gain over 200 yards in a game. Also, the defensive line played very well. Coach Bucksa rotated many guys in on the line to keep them fresh and they responded with high effort and great play. It is nice to have 35 varsity players with so many who can play at a high level of intensity and skill,” said Coach Trewin.
On defense, Gatlin Dahlberg had three solo tackles and four assists, while Trevor Kuennen had a pair of solo stops and five assists. Andrew Rhodes was there for three solo tackles, two assists and two sacks.
Up next
The Vikes will entertain West Delaware, who has defeated Decorah the past two seasons, Friday, Sept. 1, at 7:30 p.m., in another non-district contest at home.
1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q F
Waukon 0 0 6 0 6
Decorah 0 19 6 7 32
Scoring sequence
1st Quarter
None
2nd Quarter
Decorah – Dakota Johnson 75-yd. run (Jimmy Valdez PAT)
Decorah – Gavin Groux 1-yd. run (PAT failed)
Decorah – Louis Bucksa 9-yd. pass to Kelley Gates (PAT failed)
3rd Quarter
Waukon – 18-yd. pass (PAT failed)
Decorah – D. Johnson 70-yd. run (PAT failed)
4th Quarter
Decorah – D. Johnson 46-yd. run (Brayden Wemark PAT)
Game stats
Total yards: Decorah 371; Waukon 248
Passing (comp/att/yds): Louis Bucksa (2-8, 22 yds., 1 TD, 1 INT)
Rushing (att/yds): Dakota Johnson (13-234, 3 TD); Tommy Sexton (8-64); Trevor Kuennen (2-19); Garrett Waskow (2-12); Bucksa (3-11); Gatlin Dahlberg (2-8); Gavin Groux (2-3, 1 TD); Cade Averhoff (2-2)
Receiving (att/yds/TD): Groux (3-13); Kelley Gates (1-9, 1 TD)
Tackles (solo-assist): Kaiden Quandahl (3-1); Brady Benzing (2-2); Groux (3-1); Jeron Feuerhelm (1-1); Johnson (3-2); Creed Monroe (1-0); Dahlberg (3-4); Carter Dlhy (0-1); Sexton (2-1); T. Kuennen (2-5); Andrew Rhodes (3-2); Kaiden Youngblood (1-0); Bradan Darling (1-0); Brody Hanson (1-2); Landon Kuennen (0-1); Brady Bohner (0-2); Cash Riehle (0-1); Keaton Orris (2-2); William Hahn (0-1); Jackson Pipho (2-0); Gates (2-0); Noah Milburn (2-1)
Fumble recoveries: Hanson 1
Punts (att/yds): Milburn (3-116)
Punt returns (att/yds): Groux (2-39)
Kick-offs (att/yds): Brayden Wemark (6-345, 3 TB)
Kick-off returns (att/yds): Johnson (2-42)
Submit A Comment
Fill out the form to submit a comment. All comments require approval by our staff before it is displayed on the website.