Photo by Kristi Ruen
Two teams on losing streaks looking for a win played a tight contest in Houston. Lanesboro (0-4, 0-5) entered winless but with four single-digit losses while Houston (2-2, 3-2) entered having lost its last two. James Semmen’s crew led 14-8 at halftime and went ahead 20-8 in the third quarter only for ‘Cane Zach Olson to return the ensuing kick-off 77-yards for a TD to make it 20-16. In the final four minutes, the Hurricanes got a stop and were in the red zone but were turned away. Houston had one more chance in the final minute but also failed to score, as Lanesboro came away with a 20-16 win. Mason Howard (9-18, 124 yards, 3 TDs, INT passing, 6-49 rushing), Cole Sass (2-49, 2 TDs receiving, 11-34 rushing), Kaden Stettler (5-65 receiving), and Michael Rein (1-yard TD catch) did work for the Burros. All three Lanesboro scores came on fourth down. Lee Klunder (18-72 rushing, 5-61 receiving) had Houston’s other TD and was their top yardage getter. Lanesboro had 243 yards total offense (124 passing, 119 rushing) and Houston 226 (99 passing, 127 rushing). The Burros (1-4, 1-5) picked up their first win. Houston (2-3, 3-3) has lost three in a row. Lanesboro kept possession of the bell in the “Battle of the Bell” game. Houston has not had it since 2019, as the Burros have won four straight in the series.