“It was good to finally get some points on the board and I thought our defense did an outstanding job tonight,” commented Head Coach Steve Olson of the Otters.  “The kids showed a lot of resiliency and this is a great team win.  The penalty numbers were too high and they cost us a couple of touchdowns, so we need to improve in that area.”

The Otters scored with 3:57 to play in the first half when they capped an 8-play, 74-yard scoring drive with a 34 yard TD pass from Ethan Olson to Abel Aho.  The 6-0 lead held up through the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Kaden Hartwell recovered a fumble at the East Grand Forks 17 yard line.  Two plays later Landon Thacker carried the ball into the end zone from four yards out, giving the Otters a 12-0 lead with 10:42 to play in the game.

A 39 yard punt by Mike Wiederich pinned East Grand Forks back at their one yard line with under seven minutes to go, however, a ten yard run by fullback Julian Benson gave them room to work the offense and on their second play from scrimmage, quarterback Nick Vargas connected with wide receiver Nathan Willett on an 89 yard touchdown pass to cut the Fergus Falls lead to 12-6.

The Otters followed that TD with a kick-off return by Abel Aho to the Green Wave 33 yard line, setting up a 33 yard touchdown run by Parker Jacobs.  Andrew Starzl added the extra point kick and the Otters had a 19-6 advantage.

Fergus Falls had 206 rushing yards with Jacobs accounting for 136 yards on 23 carries.  Aho added three touches for 55 yards.  Olson completed 17-of-28 passes for 193 yards and one TD.

Brock Kotschevar and Cole Zierden each intercepted a pass for the Otters and the defense recorded six sacks on the quarterback.

The Fergus Falls defense held East Grand Forks to two rushing yards and six first downs.  Vargas passed for 216 yards, completing 13-of-20 attempts, and Willett hauled in five passes for 149 yards.

Fergus Falls (1-2) will host Perham on Friday, September 20.