Round 1 | Princeville vs Dakota
Dakota -
Saturday saw a battle of power running teams that surely wasn't going to disappoint the fan. Princeville came into the game with the #10 seed, making the trip north to face the #7 seed Dakota Indians in a first round match.
After week 9 disappointments for both teams, both were looking to punch their ticket to the round of 16.
The game was a struggle back and forth in the 1st quarter, as both teams entered the 2nd quarter scoreless. Dakota opened the scoring on a 26 yard run by Aden Cassidy with 7:01 remaining in the half. Dakota seemed to have things rolling at that point allowing only 16 yards to Princeville while not allowing a first down.
The Indians entered half time with all the momentum, and the lead up 7-0, but Princeville came out fired up for the second half. After a 3 and out for Dakota, Princeville found the end zone on a 3 yard touchdown pass from Matthew Butterfield to Jack Arnett to tie the game up at 7 after a successful PAT kick.
After another failed drive for the Indians, Princeville would find the end zone again, this time on a 64 yard run by Adam Snedden, giving the Princes a 14-7 lead into the 4th quarter.
Princeville would carry that lead until Dakota took over with 3:11 left in the game. With 1:02 remaining, Kyle Bordner connected with Carter Drake on fourth and goal, and Nolan Lentz tied the game at 14 after his PAT kick was good. The score was set up by a Kyle Bordner pass to Cassidy that went 71 yards.
As the game went into overtime, both teams scored on their first possessions, sending the game to double overtime tied at 21.
Dakota would have the ball first in the second overtime, but were stopped short of the goal line resulting in a Lentz field goal pushing Dakota ahead 24-21.
That lead was short lived for the Indians, as Princeville was able to punch the ball into the end zone from 3 yards out on 3rd down, as it was Justin Janssen giving the Princes the road victory 27-24.
Princeville will advance to the 2nd round and face conference foe Annawan-Wethersfield in a rematch of a 14-6 win for the Titans the first time around. Annawan-Wethersfield was victorious over Orangeville on Saturday.
Despite the loss, looking at the stats one would wonder how Dakota lost. They dominated in total yardage as the Indians out gained the Princes 391 yards to 178 yards on the day.
Leading the way for Dakota was Trey Engelbrecht as he ran the ball 22 times for 92 yards and scored the game tying touchdown in the first overtime. Aden Cassidy had 7 carries for 54 yards with 1 TD, and caught 4 passes for 96 yards. Mason Peters ran the ball 14 times for 43 yards and had 1 reception for 7 yards. Kyle Bordner was 12-23 passing for 198 yards and 1 TD. His leading target was Carter Drake, hauling in 5 passes for 57 yards and 1 TD.
For the Princes, Adam Snedden led the rushing attack with 11 carries for 96 yards and 1 TD to go along with 4 receptions for 30 yards. Justin Janssen, the hero of the day finished with 10 carries for 23 yards, but none more important than his winning TD in double overtime. Matthew Butterfield was 6-11 passing for 47 yards and 2 TD.
Dakota finishes the season with a 7-3 record.