By Becky Walz,
Noah Milburn (87) and Peyton Webb team up to drag down the Independence ball carrier in Friday’s 21-14 non-district win. (Photo by Becky Walz)
There are just five undefeated teams in Class 4A football and Decorah fans have a lot to cheer about since the fifth-ranked Vikings are one of them.
Friday’s battle was the final non-district match for the Vikes, who are looking to win a district title this season after defeating a previously undefeated Independence team 21-14.
“The kids did an excellent job executing our game plan on Friday,” said coach Mike Tangen. “They played selfless football and our offensive and defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage. I am very proud of our leadership and excited about the growth that we have made each week.”
How it went
It was a battle in the trenches as both defenses stole the show on homecoming night in Decorah, neither team found the end zone in the first quarter.
Jackson Pipho broke through the barrier on defense with a pick-six just two minutes into the second period, putting the Vikes on the board. With Brayden Wemark’s PAT, Decorah led 7-0. Independence soon had an opportunity to put points up but missed a field goal. A pair of Viking turnovers eventually landed the Mustangs in the endzone as they went 60 yards on four plays to tie the game with 3:17 remaining. Then it was back to the work for Decorah. It looked like the Vikings would be stopped with a minute to play as Noah Milburn punted the ball; however, a muffed catch landed in the hands of Carter Dlhy, giving Decorah the pigskin at the Independence 26-yard line. As time ran down, the Vikings struck for their second score of the quarter as Louis Bucksa had a successful quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line making it 14-7 in favor of Decorah at the half.
Decorah’s defense pushed the Mustangs to a three-and-out to start the third quarter. A series of carries by Trevor Kuennen put the ball at the Independence 1-yard line and set up Bucksa’s second QB sneak of the game into the end zone. That score put Decorah on top 21-7. Independence managed one more score in the third period with 1:09 remaining. It would be a scoreless fourth quarter, allowing the Vikes to survive another game.
Quick stats
The Vikings ground out 203 yards rushing and 86 passing for 289 total. There were five total turnovers with Pipho picking off a pass and Gavin Groux and Dlhy each recovering a fumble.
Offensively, Kuennen rushed 22 times for 103 yards. Groux picked up 66 yards on the ground in 14 carries and caught one pass for another 15 yards. Milburn hauled in a trio of receptions for 32 yards. Bucksa completed eight passes for 86 yards.
On defense, Gatlin Dahlberg led the way with eight solo and three assisted tackles. Kuennen had four solo stops, while Peyton Webb was there for three solo tackles. Thirteen other Vikings had a least 0.5 tackle.
On the road
The Vikings are off to a 4-0 start, but now the real work begins as Decorah enters district play this Friday, Sept. 27, at Mason City at 7:30 p.m. The Riverhawks opened the season with a 26-25 win over Marshalltown, then dropped a pair of games to Fort Dodge (35-17) and Gilbert (42-22) before rebounding to defeat Charles City last week 49-14.
Game stats
Total yards: Decorah 289; Independence 302
Passing (comp/att/yds): Louis Bucksa (8-12, 86 yds., 1 INT)
Rushing (att/yds): Trevor Kuennen (22-103); Gavin Groux (14-66); Bucksa (10-21, 2 TD); Carter Dlhy (3-14); Tommy Sexton (1-(-1))
Receiving (att/yds/TD): Noah Milburn (3-32); Groux (1-15); Kuennen (1-12); Will Larson (1-12); Jackson Pipho (1-9); Dlhy (1-6)
Tackles (total): Gatlin Dahlberg (9.5); Kuennen (5.5); Peyton Webb (4.0); Sexton (3.5); William Hahn (3.5); Larson (3.0); Keaton Orris (3.0); Tanner Caddell (2.5); Groux (2.0); Pipho (2.0); Milburn (1.5); Bradan Darling (1.0); Landon Quandahl (0.5); Jameson LaBelle (0.5); Luke Franzen (0.5); Henry Brynsaas (0.5)
Interceptions (no/return yds): Pipho (1-36, 1 TD)
Fumble recoveries (no/return yds): Groux (1-25); Dlhy (1-0)
Punts (att/yds): Milburn (4-154)
Kick-offs (att/yds): Brayden Wemark (4-190, 1 TB, 3-3 PAT)
Kick-off returns (att/yds): Groux (2-41); Mason Avila (1-24)
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