The Wahpeton Huskies football team had plenty of big plays in Friday’s football game against No. 5-ranked Grand Forks Red River, but the Roughriders ultimately pulled away with a 55-26 win at Frank Vertin Field in Wahpeton.
The Huskies hit the break trailing 28-20 after Brayden Steffens returned a kickoff 76 yards to the end zone with 14 seconds left on the clock. Steffens bobbled the line-drive squib kick, but stayed on his feet and raced up the home sideline behind the blocking of Isaiah Bruechert and Rylan Flack to make it a one-score game.
Steffens intercepted the ensuing hail mary attempt and returned it 45 yards with no time on the clock, narrowly missing another touchdown when he was tripped up attempting to reverse field at the 50-yard line. The senior also forced a fumble earlier in the contest.
Steffens had another productive game on offense in addition to his special teams and defensive highlights, turning four receptions into 76 yards and hauling in a 35-yard touchdown grab.
Sophomore quarterback Jack Gilbertson shook off a pair of early turnovers, including a pick-six, to post a solid box score. Gilbertson ran the ball 17 times for 176 yards and two scores, including a 58-yard keeper that featured a formidable stiff-arm. He added 67 yards and a TD through the air.
Defensively, the Huskies were led by defensive back Cooper Koolmo. The sophomore recorded a pass breakup, a fumble recovery and an interception in the end zone to earn Essentia Health Player of the Game.
Junior safety Cayden Barth recorded his second sack of the season for Wahpeton.
Senior running back Michael Petersen was largely scripted out of the game due to the second-half deficit, but still managed 42 yards on nine carries.
Red River quarterback Matthew Dosch was all over the field, throwing for a touchdown, running in three additional scores and returning an interception to the house.
Wahpeton (0-7) has a tall task ahead Thursday when they travel to No. 2-ranked Kindred (7-0) in search of its first win.