Verndale took an early 8-0 lead with a 30 yard TD pass and a successful two point conversion, however, a 3 yard run by Jarred Ehlers and a Bryant Callenius pass reception from Tim Blume for the two point conversion left the game tied at 8-8 after one quarter.

Zach Braaten took the ball into the end zone from 3 yards out and Callenius hauled in a pass from Braaten for the two point conversion for the only score of the second quarter and a 16-8 halftime lead for the Warriors.

In the third quarter Verndale pulled to within two points at 16-14 on a 2 yard TD run, but Wheaton/Herman-Norcross answered with a one yard TD run by Braaten and a Clint Determan kick for a 23-14 advantage as the third quarter came to an end.

Verndale scored twice early in the fourth quarter to take a 30-23 lead.  Their first TD came on a 4 yard run and was followed by a 5 yard run.  Both two point conversion opportunities were successful.  Determan then caught a 10 yard pass from Braaten and Braaten’s two point conversion run put the Warriors up 31-30.  Verndale got the winning score on a 55 yard pass and tacked on the two point conversion for the final score of 38-31.

Braaten completed 22-of-35 passes for 268 yards and ran the ball 21 times for 94 yards.  Determan was the leading receiver with 129 yards on 9 catches.  The Warriors had 413 total yards, 268 passing and 145 rushing.  Verndale finished with 422 (146 passing, 246 rushing) yards on the night.

No Verndale stats were reported.