Photo by Deb Finseth
In a 1A semifinal, Fillmore Central (2-seed, 7-1) had a bit of a tussle with NRHEG (3-seed, 5-3). Things started roughly. A bad snap on FC’s first punt gave the Panthers the ball at the FC six-yard line. A 1-yard Brooks Gilliland TD run put NRHEG up 6-0 (10:14). But FC scored on their next three series, going 80 and 97 yards on the first two. A Grant Daniels 56-yard run was big in setting up the first TD, a 7-yard Bridon Bahl to Rylan Ristau pass. The Falcons scored twice late in the first half. A 15-play, 98-yard drive was capped via Bahl to Ristau 27-yard TD pass (2:14). A Ristau interception seconds later led to a Bahl to Quinci Kaase 29-yard TD pass (1:23). The defense harvested three first-half turnovers. FC led 21-6 at intermission, but did not put the game away until a 15-play, 93-yard drive was capped by Daniels 7-yard TD run with 4:39 left to go in the game. It was FC’s third drive of 80-plus yards. Meanwhile, NRHEG twice (early second quarter, late third quarter) was at goal-to-go inside the 10 but came away empty. Chris Mensink’s group prevailed 28-6. Bahl (9 of 13, 111 yards, 2 INTs) threw three TD-passes. Two went to Ristau (4-62 receiving), the other to Kaase (4-43 receiving). Daniels (19-145, TD rushing) carried the FC ground game helped by Bahl (10-55 rushing). Ristau had two interceptions on defense. Parker Krage hit all four PATs. Plays ran and first downs were near equal, but FC had 304 yards of offense, NRHEG 234. The Falcons (2-seed, 8-1) move on to face Southland (1-seed, 8-1) in the section finals. FC’s only loss was to the Rebels 22-20.
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