Cats defeat Grizzlies in homecoming game

by Kevin Winter

sports@reporterandfarmer.com

The Webster Area football team hosted Dakota Hills as its homecoming opponent Sept. 15 with the Cats coming away the victors 48-0.

Dakota Hills struggled to move the ball against the Bearcat defense and turned the ball over a couple of times by fumbles. On the Grizzlies first drive of the game their quarterback Dylan Rumpza fumbled the ball on the snap and Bearcat Matthew Mount was able to pick it up and run it back for the first score of the game for Webster.

Webster had a number of advantages throughout the game including partially blocking a Dakota Hills punt and long punt returns, one of which was a touchdown. This created a short field for Webster to work on to score. At the end of the first quarter the Bearcats led, 13-0.

Carson Mount scored two touchdowns on the ground while Gavin Witt, Brent Bearman and Tommy Vergeldt each had one rushing touchdown. Jacob Keller had a punt return for a touchdown and also took the ball back to the six yard line which set up an easy follow-up score for the Cats. A number of points came from the Bearcats special teams and defense through Dakota Hills turnovers or punt returns by Webster.

With a large lead at the half, the score being 21-0, the Cats put in a number of junior varsity players in the second half and the referees ran the clock continuously. The score at the end of the third quarter was 34-0. The Grizzlies still struggled to move the ball against the junior varsity players. Webster scored a touchdown late in the second half but failed on the two-point conversion to end the game early.

Coach Tyler Wagner said he was happy with the team winning in front of fans during homecoming.

“I thought we started a little slow and sluggish. We then got going and I was happy with the result,” Wagner said. “A lot of guys got playing time and took reps and we were able to find out which guys we will be able to give reps as we get down the stretch.”

Wagner said he was happy the Cats were able to get back on the winning track after facing tough teams in Deuel and Winner where the Cats lost both games.

Offensively, Ian Lesnar went five for 10 passing for 67 yards, Jack Shoemaker had two catches for 22 yards. Carson Mount had six carries for 39 yards, Witt had five for 39 yards, Vergeldt once for 38 yards and Bearman had three for 24 yards.

On the Cats defense, Keller had one interception and one sack. Isaac Nelson had six tackles and three tackles for loss, Jeron McCreary had two tackles and two interceptions, Bearman had seven tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack and Matthew Mount had six tackles, one tackle for loss and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.

The Grizzlies offense was led by Dylan Rumpza who ran the ball 12 times for 57 yards, Brooks Dolan had three rushes for 11 yards.

On the Dakota Hills defense, Caleb Miller and Dolan each had four tackles and Rumpza had five.

The final home game of the season is Sept. 29 when the Cats host Groton at 7 p.m. Dakota Hills hosts Clark/Willow Lake in Wilmot at 7 p.m.