Rothsay struck first when Karter Jensen connected with Landon Messerschmidt on an 8 yard scoring pass in the first quarter.  Hillcrest pulled even on a 55 yard TD run by Evan Lindgren.  Lindgren’s 64 yard run then gave the Comets a 12-6 lead after one quarter.

In the second quarter, Karter Jensen scored on a 2-yard run, tying the game at 12-12.  Matthew Danielson handed an 18-12 lead to the Tigers with a 68 yard TD run, but a 57 yard pass from Erik Bjorndahl to Leo Nordick and a Mateus Gjerme extra point kick put Hillcrest on top, 19-18.  An 11 yard pass from Jensen to Danielson and a Karson Jensen two-point run gave Rothsay a 26-19 halftime lead.

Messerschmidt hauled in an 82 yard pass from Karter Jensen to start the second half, giving Rothsay a 32-19 lead.  Lindgren’s third TD of the night came on a 5-yard run and Gjerme’s kick cut the Tigers lead to 32-26.  Karter Jensen then hit Karson Jensen with a 36 yard TD pass and the Tigers led 38-26,  Lindgren scored on a one yard run and Gjerme added another PAT kick to cut the lead to 38-33.

Following a Rothsay fumble, Bjorndahl hit Gabe Swedenburg with a 29 yard touchdown pass and Gjerme booted the extra point, putting Hillcrest on top 40-38.  After a blocked punt, Hillcrest scored again when Lindgren caught a 42 yard run and Gjerme’s kick made the score 47-38.  The ensuing kick was returned 97 yards by Danielson and the two point conversion was successful, trimming the Hillcrest lead to one point at 47-46.

The first Hillcrest turnover of the night gave Rothsay hope, however, the Comet defense stopped the Tigers and preserved the one point win.

Lindgren’s monster game saw him carry the ball 31 times for 301 yards, catch one pass for 25 yards, and finish with 5 touchdowns on the night.  Bjorndahl completed 11 passes for 203 yards and 2 scores.  Swedenburg was the leading receiver with 8 catches for 109 yards.  Nordick had 69 yards on 2 catches.

Defensive leaders for the Comets were Alexander Johnson (11 tackles, 1 interception), Swedenburg (7 tackles), Nordick (6 tackles, 1 sack), Samual Reese (5 tackles, 2.5 sacks), Micah Bermel (4 tackles, .5 sack, blocked punt) and Cohan Draxten (4 tackles, 1.5 sacks).

Rothsay was led by Karter Jensen with 7 completions for 227 yards.  He also ran for 66 yards on 22 attempts.  Karson Jensen had 72 rushing yards on 20 carries and caught one pass for 38 yards and a touchdown.  Receiving leaders were Messerschmidt (3 receptions, 123 yards, 2 TD’s) and Danielson (2 catches, 54 yards).  Danielson also had 75 rushing yards on 2 carries, scoring one TD.

Rothsay (2-3) has a home game against Brandon-Evansville on Friday.

Hillcrest (2-3) will travel to Sebeka.