Bjorn Kubela was the technician of a calculated passing game Friday night, helping the unranked Wahpeton Huskies (3-2) orchestrate a 28-14 road win over No. 3 Devils Lake (3-2). The senior quarterback built on his stellar season by completing 18 of 26 passes for 209 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception.
Slant routes, bubble screens, fly routes up the sideline — Kubela rained on the Firebirds defense. It was a pivotal win for Kubela and the Huskies as it marked the Class 2A East Region opener for both teams.
Kubela has 8 passing touchdowns during Wahpeton’s three-game win streak, fueled by getting the football out quickly and into the hands of Husky playmakers. In Friday’s upset bid, Kubela completed touchdown passes to Jack Gilbertson, Brayden Steffens and Jackson DeVries. When he wasn’t firing the football before the defense could react, he was making throws into tight windows as he escaped the pocket.
Senior running back Treyton Mauch eclipsed the century mark on the ground, breaking free on a 64-yard touchdown run and totaling 135 yards overall. Mauch hasn’t slowed down following a 216-yard performance two weeks ago vs. Valley City, upping his touchdown tally to nine through five games.
Wahpeton continued to spread the football around in unpredictable ways, a strategy which has resulted in 100 points during Wahpeton’s three-game winning streak. On the other side, the Huskies defense has let up a stingy 21 points over the past eight quarters.
One of Friday’s touchdowns came 24-yard pick-six in the first half by Ryan Samuelson. The other came on a 26-yard TD pass from Mason Palmer to Will Heilman.
Wahpeton made a crucial fourth quarter stop by upending the Firebirds on fourth and goal from the 5-yard line. That’s when Mauch opened the floodgates on a 63-yard touchdown run, spearheaded by the blocking of Luke Anderson, Landon Ralph, Owen Skovholt and Hunter Boelke, among others.
Evan Dockter contributed a clutch QB sack to drive Devils Lake backwards and cement the victory.
Wahpeton will clash with another ranked opponent next Friday, this time another road game at No. 2 West Fargo Horace. We’ll have the call on AM 1450 KBMW and streaming at KBMW News Live YouTube.