Wolves’ Comeback Attempt Falls Short Against Baker
The Wolf Point Wolves put a comeback bid together in the fourth quarter, but Baker held on for a 28-14 non-conference football win in Wolf Point on Friday, Sept. 6.
Trailing by a 28-6 margin late in the third quarter, the Wolves responded with an 82-yard scoring drive. Two quarterback keeper runs by Seth Landsrud and a gain by Kasey Reed produced a first down at the 28.
Reed then broke loose for a 69-yard dash all the way down to the Baker three on the first play of the fourth quarter. After two runs put the ball at the two, Reed battled in for a touchdown with 10:21 remaining in the contest. The junior also got in for the two-point conversion to close the margin to 28-14.
It was then the Wolves’ defense’s turn to step up. Tackles by Jesse Reed and K. Reed along with a pass defended by Sam Boysun forced the Spartans into a punt. After a very short punt, the Wolves gained possession on the Baker 33 but were unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
Wolf Point’s defense, however, provided another chance when Jacob White intercepted a pass at the Spartan 20. A nine-yard gain by Landsrud produced a first down at the six. The Wolves had a third down on the two, but Baker’s defense stopped Wolf Point on the next two running attempts to take over with only 2:51 remaining.
Although the outcome wasn’t what was hoped for by Wolf Point’s faithful, the Wolves showed plenty of promise after a slow start in the home contest.
Baker scored on its second possession of the game. Facing a third-and-23 situation from the Wolf Point 26, the Spartans reached the end zone on a pass from Jarek Janz to Blake Barsness with 5:33 remaining in the first quarter. Martino Dorigatti kicked the conversion for a 7-0 margin.
An interception by Trevin Lecoe put the Spartans back into scoring position a short time later. The junior linebacker picked off the pass at the 32 and went down to the three.
Wolf Point’s Zandon Calder, who played a strong defensive game for the Wolves, tackled Lecoe for a three-yard loss on first down. The Spartans faced a fourth-and-12 situation, but Baker added points when Janz hit Tucker Miller for a touchdown with 2:18 left in the opening quarter.
After being kept in check for most of the half, the Wolves ended the second quarter on a high note when they put together a 79-yard, 19-play scoring drive. The hard running of K. Reed highlighted the drive as the junior carried the ball on 13 of the plays and found holes opened by Wolf Point’s offensive line.
A pass interference call and a dash by K. Reed provided a first down for the Wolves at the Baker eight. On third down from the one, Mike Bell scored with four seconds left in the half to close the margin to 13-6.
Baker struck first in the second half when Janz and Barsness connected on a 57yard play for a touchdown. Barsness ran in the conversion for a 21-6 advantage.
After an intentional grounding call ended a threat by the Wolves, Baker struck for another touchdown in the third quarter. Miller took a quick pass and raced 55 yards for the score. Dorigatti added the kick for a 28-6 margin with 1:42 left in the period.
K. Reed finished with 148 yards rushing on 31 carries for the Wolves. Landsrud added 62 yards on the ground.
The Wolves, 0-2 for the season, will head to Fairfield on Friday, Sept. 13. Wolf Point’s next home game is against Cut Bank on Sept. 27.
Landsrud
Wolf Point’s quarterback Seth Landsrud takes off for a gain against Baker on Friday, Sept. 6.
(Photo by Bill Vander Weele)
