Talk about domination. The #3 Dundy County Stratton Tigers controlled the line of scrimmage and were solid in all three phases of the game in their 62-16 win over #14 seed Boyd County in the first round of the Class D1 State Playoffs.
It was a touch windy, but the temps were excellent.
The Tigers were strong from the start. They forced a three and out on the opening possession. On their first offensive drive, it took one play, a 44-yard run from Ethan Latta to make it 6-0 right away. The two-point conversion was good and it was 8-0.
Again the Tigers were tough on defense as Laken Wissink, Lane Bybee, and Brock Bailey were pushing the Spartans back on the majority of the plays. The defense did their job again. The Tigers then had a six-play drive that was capped off by another Ethan Latta score, this time from three yards away. It was 14-0 halfway through the first.
The Tigers scored twice more before the end of the period. A third rushing touchdown by Latta this time from 35 yards away, and then a connection between brothers; Dante Horner hit Breck Horner from 24 yards away on a beautiful pass and catch.
It was 28-0 going to the second.
In the second quarter, it was much of the same, tough defense and offense moving the ball. Latta ran in another score from 63 yards away and then Latta had an interception returned for a touchdown from 70 yards away. His Tiger teammates set up some impressive blocks that allowed him to score.
DCS went to the intermission up big, 42-0.
The Tigers got the ball out of the half and didn't waste the chance. They scored on a four-play, 65-yard drive in which Dante Horner and Latta took turns toting the rock behind the offensive line that was creating massive running lanes. Latta punched it in again, from five yards away. DCS was up 50-0.
Boyd County was able to get on the board at the 2:06 mark in the third. Ben Schmitz ran it in from 11 yards away. It was 50-8 at that point. DCS scored their last touchdown in the third, a 65-yard touchdown from Deandre Hill.
It was 56-8 and we carried that score into the fourth quarter.
Boyd County wouldn't quit though, scoring one final time, early in the fourth as Ben Schmitz rushed in from 11 yards away with 10:29 remaining.
Unofficial Stats for Boyd County
The Spartans had 216 yards rushing and just nine yards passing. Ben Schmitz had 72 yards and two scores. Charlie Adams added 66 yards on the ground and Barrett Koening had 51. Adams was 1-4 passing with nine yards.
Unofficial Stats for DCS
The Tigers had 392 yards rushing on 32 carries. I'm no mathematician, but that's over 10 yards per carry. 12.25 yards per carry to be exact. Pretty good some might say.
They had just 30 yards passing.
Ethan Latta was electric with 215 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. He had that interception taken for a score too. Deandre Hill had 71 yards and a touchdown. Dante Horner had 66 yards rushing and 30 yards passing and a touchdown. Breck Horner had one catch for 24 yards and a score.
Boyd County ends the season at 4-5.
Dundy County Stratton is now 8-1 and will be the #5 seed in the reseeding and will play #12 seed Lourdes Central Catholic. More info to come on this.
We caught up with Brock Bailey after the game to discuss the dominance on the line. Postgame interviews are brought to you by Acme Printing Company.
Check out the highlights brought to you by Prairie Girl Candle Company.