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The defending AA State Champion Barnesville Trojans were tested on opening night on their home field, but passed the test with a 14-7 win over Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton. “What a fantastic game by both team,” commented Barnesville Head Coach Bryan Strand. “Hard fought, hot, and humid game. Both teams battled through the heat and obvious fatigue. It was a ground and pound style game in which our smaller, quicker kids seemed to have the energy at the end of the game and made the plays when they needed to.”
DGF started the game with the ball at the 6 yard line after a kick by Peyton Amundson buried them deep. DGF scratched their way down the field on a 14-play drive that got them to the Barnesville 40 yard line before the defense stopped them on a 4th and 2. Zach Bredman then led the Trojans on a 12-play drive, which carried over to the second quarter, eventually leading to a screen pass that resulted in a 21 yard TD from Bredman to Ethan Larson. Bredman then found Major Ness for the 2-point conversion to give the Trojans an 8-0 lead. DGF started the ensuing possession on their own 35-yard line and completed a 12 play drive with a 3 yard touchdown run by Bodee Devries. The extra point kick cut the Trojans lead to 8-7 and it stayed that way until halftime.
“We made some adjustments defensively in the second half,” said Coach Strand. “The defense played much better, only giving the Rebels 3 offensive plays in the third quarter.”
Barnesville moved the ball at the beginning of the fourth quarter, reaching the 7 yard line before they fumbled the snap on 4th and 7, giving the ball back to the Rebels. DGF moved the ball to the 34 yard line before the Barnesville defense stopped then on 4th and 1. With good field position, the Trojans completed a 19 yard pass, setting the ball at the 15 yard line. A couple of short runs, followed by a pass from Bredman to Ness, gave Barnesville their second TD of the night for a 14-7 lead. After the defense prevented DGF from having a successful possession, Barnesville got the ball back and moved down to the 3 yard line before kneeling on it twice for the victory.
“I thought the boys played a great game against a very good DGF team,” added Strand. “They are going to win a lot of games this year for sure. Both teams were gassed, but the quality of play was very good. We have some things to work on and need to get healthy by next Friday when we travel up to play Roseau. For the first game it was good to get the win and we have things we have to work on. Very pleased with our team and their heart last night.”
Bredman completed 5-of-8 passes for 69 yards and 2 scores. Larson (2 catches, 26 yards, TD) and Ness (2 receptions, 24 yards, TD) were his top receivers, while Asher O’Brien (9 carries, 56 yards) was the top rusher for the Trojans. Ness and Bredman each finished with 36 rushing yards and Larson had 26. Barnesville ran for 152 yards and had 221 total yards and 12 first downs.
The defense held DGF to 146 total yards and 8 first downs. Neither team had a turnover on the night. Defensive leaders were O’Brien (2 solo tackles, 3 assisted tackles, 1 tipped pass), Larson (2 assisted tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 tipped pass) and Noah Stafford (2 solo tackles, 3 assisted tackles).
DGF will host Fergus Falls next Friday night and Barnesville has a six o’clock start in Roseau.