Herreid/Selby Area was already fighting an uphill battle going into their final regular season game against the undefeated Sully Buttes Chargers. Among a host of other missing starters, the Wolverines learned earlier this week their outstanding sophomore running back Porter Gregg would have to miss the remainder of season with an injured hand.
The Chargers came in boasting a 6-0 record, and had outscored their opponents 230-41. They also have, who Wolverines head coach Josh Saylor referred to as “maybe the best all-around athlete in the state”, an elite quarterback in Wesley Wittler. But battered and bruised, the Wolverines defense was up to the challenge.
The Chargers took an early 6-0 lead on a Kadyn Westergren, 24-yard touchdown run. After a few three-and-outs and Herreid/Selby Area forcing a turnover, the Wolverines offense was able to answer with a touchdown drive of their own. Going for it on 4th & 6, freshmen quarterback Thatcher Kihne found Keegan Russell for the conversion, then later connecting again for their first score of the game. The Wolverines would convert the two-point conversion to take their first lead.
The lead was short-lived though, Wittler made a Wittler play by breaking loose for a 75-yard touchdown run on the first play of the ensuing drive. Gavin Colson made a nice catch to secure the two-point try, giving the Chargers a 14-8 first half lead.
In the second half, the Wolverines defense would dig their heels in and turnover Wittler and the Chargers a few more times leading to another score, and another lead for Herreid/Selby Area (22-14). Late in the fourth quarter, Wittler and the Chargers drove down the field and scored on a Jett Yackley seem route to bring them within two, but the Wolverines defense was able to flush Wittler out of the pocket and force an incompletion to essentially salt away the 22-20 victory.
The Wolverines improve to 6-2 while the Chargers took their first loss of the season to fall to 6-1.
The Venture Communications Player of the Game was earned by Wolverines quarterback Thatcher Kihne.
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