September 9, 2023

FOREST CITY, Iowa – After a closely contest through the early second quarter, Waldorf (Iowa) scored 21 straight points to pull away past Dakota State (S.D.) 35-20 in the North Star Athletic Association football season opener at Bolstroff Field.  The Warriors held a slim 7-6 lead before outscoring the Trojans 28-14 for the final 32 minutes of the game.

Dakota State fell to 0-3 overall record and 0-1 NSAA conference record.  Waldorf improved to 2-1 overall record and 1-0 NSAA record.  Both teams will play their second North Star meeting on Oct. 14 at the Dan Beacom Track Complex in Madison, S.D.

The Trojans look to pick up their first win of the season as they return home next Saturday (Sept. 16).  DSU hosts Valley City State (N.D.) in the Trojan Day homecoming football game, with Senior Day ceremony to start at least half hour before kick-off.  The kick-off is set for 4 p.m.

FIRST QUARTER
Waldorf took the first possession of the game and marched down to the opponent's end zone with 15 plays for 75 yards in five minutes, forty-four seconds for the first touchdown of the game.  The Warriors went 3-of-4 on third-down situation on the first drive of the game.

The highlight of WU's first scoring drive say a 34-yard completion from Jordan Cooper to Dom Watt to DSU's 30-yard line.  Facing a fourth-and-goal situation on DSU's 2-yard line, Jatoviay Hill rushed for a 2-yard touchdown to give Warriors a 6-0 lead with 9:16 on the clock.  Connor Parker followed up with a successful PAT extra-point kick to make it 7-0 Waldorf.

Dakota State answered on the ensuing possession with 13 plays for 52 yards in less than five minutes.  Tyce Ortman highlighted the drive with a 42-yard rush from WU's 47-yard line to WU's 5-yard line.

The Trojans had to settle for a 31-yard field goal from Aidan Jahns, trailing 7-3 with 4:18 remaining in the first quarter.

Waldorf maintained possession until the end of the first quarter as Hill rushed for six yards to DSU's 30-yard line.

SECOND QUARTER
Dakota State's defense halted Waldorf to score in the early second quarter, thanks to Blake Duran's interception in the end zone.  He returned it for 20 yards as DSU regained possession with 13:34 on the clock.

The Trojans registered 14 plays (10 rushing plays) for 63 yards in 7:47 for the next scoring drive of the game.   DSU had to settle for a 34-yard field goal by Jahns, trimming the Warriors' lead to 7-6 with 5:47 remaining before halftime.

Waldorf quickly answered on the next possession with a touchdown.  Cooper connected to Jorge Rivera for a 36-yard touchdown pass with 2:01 left, widening their lead to 14-6 after Parker's successful PAT extra-point kick.

The Trojans committed a turnover on the kick-off return as Waldorf's Austin Neu recovered a fumble with 1:51 to go, starting their drive on WU's 41-yard line. 

The Warriors used three plays for 59 yards for another touchdown.  Cooper threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Watt with less than a minute to go before halftime.  Parker added the PAT extra point kick as WU ballooned their lead to 21-6.

The second quarter ended as the Warriors intercepted DSU's pass on WU's 36-yard line.  Waldorf led 21-6 by halftime.

THIRD QUARTER
Dakota State was forced to punt on the first drive of the third quarter, registering the first punt of the game.  The Warriors went on to use nine plays for 74 yards in 4:38 on the ensuing possession as Cooper rushed for a 4-yard touchdown.  Parker hit the PAT extra point kick to extend Waldorf's lead to 28-6 with 6:38 remaining.

The Trojans used the remaining 6:29 of the third quarter, ending the quarter with the possession on WU's 1-yard line after a 13-yard rush by Ortman.

The highlight of the drive saw the Trojans successfully convert their fourth-and-6 situation on WU's 32-yard line as Joseph Cole threw an 8-yard pass to Michael Hybertson to WU's 24-yard line.

Waldorf led 28-6 by the end of the third quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER
DSU kicked off the fourth quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Ortman with 14:55 remaining.  Jahns added the PAT extra point kick as the Trojans trailed 28-13.

Waldorf answered with a pair of 21-yard passes on the next possession.  Facing third-and-17 situation, Cooper rushed for a 22-yard touchdown with 11:26 to go in the game.  Parker extended WU's lead to 35-13 after a successful PAT extra-point kick.

Dakota State turned the ball, despite an interception by Waldorf with 6:36 remaining on WU's' 23-yard line.  The Warriors were forced to punt for the first time on the next possession as the Trojans maintained the possession with less than three minutes to go.

The Trojans registered 12 plays for 80 yards in 2:18 as Cole rushed for his first collegiate touchdown.  He rushed for a 4-yard touchdown with 38 seconds remaining.  Jahns' PAT extra-point kick was good as the Trojans trailed 35-20.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Ortman rushed 22 times for a season-high 159 yards and a touchdown for Dakota State.  He also had a 22-yard reception.  Cole was 13-of-25 for 134 yards.  Jungers added 4-of-7 for 26 yards and rushed six times for 19 yards.  Gus Sanford ran four times for 18 yards and caught a 16-yard pass.

Austin Lake caught five passes for 51 yards for DSU.  Cole Sylliaasen had three catches for 14 yards.  Jemal Brown had a 14-yard reception. 

Duran led the Trojans' defense with six tackles and an interception return of 20 yards.  Joey Hoeschen added six tackles.  Caleb Dwyer tallied five tackles and a quarterback sack.  Marcis Hausman and Jeremiah 'JJ' Beck each had four tackles. 

WU's Cooper finished the game by completing 21 passes in 27 attempts for 325 yards and two touchdowns.  He rushed seven times for 16 yards.  Hill ran 19 times for 106 yards and a touchdown.  Taye Buchanan added four rushes for 20 yards.

Watt led the Warriors with eight receptions for 152 yards and a touchdown.  Riveral added five catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.  Malik Adams had five catches for 58 yards.

Jakim Brock paced Waldorf's defense with 10 tackles, a forced fumble, and a broken-up pass.  Will Stricklin added eight tackles.  Austin Erdmann had seven tackles.  Skyler Schmidt and Shannen William each produced a quarterback sack. 

TEAM COMPARISONS
Waldorf outgained Dakota State 467-364 in total offensive yards.  The Warriors threw for 325 yards compared to the Trojans 160 passing yards.  DSU rushed for a season-high 204 yards to WU 142 rushing yards. 

Dakota State registered 25 first downs (14 first downs on rushing) to Waldorf 24 first downs (15 first downs by passing).  The Warriors converted 7-of-9 third downs, while the Trojans were 6-of-13 on third down situations.  DSU was perfect 4-of-4 on red zone scores chances (two touchdowns, two field goals).

Dakota State maintained possession for 31 minutes, 45 seconds.  Waldorf held the ball for 28 minutes, 15 seconds.