The Wahpeton Huskies (4-3) were able to go Devils Lake and take down the Firebirds 28-21 after battling back in the second half.
The Huskies, losers of back to back games, needed to win on Friday night so as not to fall too far back in the conference and miss out on a playoff birth for the third year in a row.
Wahpeton was able to strike first on a Blake Schafer 11 yard touchdown pass to Caden Kappes to make it 7-0. The 58 yard drive was highlight on Schafer starting the game a perfect 5-5 from the pocket on the drive. The Huskies were able to recover the on side kick, but weren’t able to score on back to back drives.
In the second quarter, the Firebirds were able to answer back. Off a Wapheton fumble, Devils Lake was able to get into the endzone to make it 7-7.
The Firebirds were able to score with 17 seconds in the half on a 14 yard pass to make it 14-7 going into halftime.
Wapeton was able to score on their first possession of the second half on a five yard pass from Schafer to Kappes. Schafter was forced to his right on the throw, but still was able to throw a strike in the back of the endzone to give the Huskies life and tie it up with 5:41 left in the third quarter.
The Firebirds were able to answer, driving 49 yards and the score to make it 21-14.
The Huskies last two drives were exactly what Head Coach Wade Gilbertson drew up. On a punt that hit a Wahpeton player, Colin Samuels was able to recover. The recover lead to a two play, 81 yard, drive that was capped off by a 22 yard pass play from Schafer to Kappes. The extra point made it 21-21.
After the Firebird punt, Schafer did it again. This time the 35 yard pass was to Tori Ulrich gave the Huskies the lead that they wouldn’t give up. The final score after the extra point made it 28-21 and gave the Huskies life in the playoff race.
Blake Schafer was the player of the game, going 23-43 for 335 yards and four TDs.
The Huskies next game is home Thursday matchup when they face off against Turtle Mountain Community High School at 7pm.
