The Wahpeton Huskies were a trick play at the end of a half away from taking down the 11A giant Fargo North. The Huskies instead were on the losing end of a 49-42 home finale that kept fans warm in the freezing temps.
The Huskies started with the ball to start the game and played aggressive, using the Run-Pass option and coming up short when going for it on fourth down. The Spartans took over and were able to strike first with 7:37 in the first quarter. Mason Lockwood, the senior bell cow running back, was able to force his way into the end zone from four yards out.
The Huskies were able to score in the second quarter on a 13 yard pass from Blake Schafer to Tori Uhlich. Then after a Spartan punt, the Huskies were able to take their first and only lead of the game when about midway through the quarter Schafer scored on a one yard run up the middle to give the Huskies the 14-7 lead after the extra point.
Fargo North would respond, driving the ball down the field and converting multiple third downs before the big back Jim Miller would run up the right side and score to tie the game at 14 all with 1:35 remaining.
What would become a deciding play, with less than a minute and a half left in the quarter, the Spartans would take over after a Wahpeton punt and run a double handoff pass that Quarterback Daniel Boutain would be on the receiving end of. The touchdown would come with zeros on the clock and give the Spartan back the lead 21-14 going into the locker rooms for halftime.
The Huskies came out strong to start the second half, with Blake Schafer leading the charge. Schafer was able to rush for this second score from two yards out, but the extra point attempted would be blocked to make the score 21-20 with 8:04 left in the third
The Spartans were a team that would not go down easy, and Lockwood would score his second rushing touchdown with 5:50 left in the third quarter from one yard out. Fargo North took a 28-20 lead . The Huskies on their next possession were firing on all cylinders and came out buzzing. This time Schafer connected with his Tight End Colin Samuels for the score. The Huskies went for two this time connecting with Caden Kappes to time the game up at 28 all.
With less than 40 seconds left int eh quarter, Fargo North was able to get on the board again. After converting on the long third down, Lockwood was able to rush in for a nine yard score and with the extra point the Spartans re took the lead going into the fourth quarter.
Kappes and Schafer would be the story of the second half, pitching and catching all the way down the field and racking up yards. The Huskies were able to tie it up when Schafer’s pass was caught by Caden Kappes for the 18 yard score to make it 35 all with 9:30 remaining.
On an 11 yard run, Lockwood again was able to get into the end zone, carrying Wahpeton Husky defenders with him. After the Huskies punt, Quarterback Daniel Boutain ran an option play up the middle and was able to score a 41 yard touchdown with 2:44 to give Fargo North a 49-35 advantage.
Schafer and Kappes were able to connect once more from 12 yards out to make the final 49-42. There just wasn’t enough time for the Huskies to mount a come back.
The next game for Wahpeton will be a playoff match up next Friday. Stay tuned to KBMW to find out who the Huskies will matchup against in the 11A Quarterfinals on Friday.