Bulldogs Take Conference Title
Bainville’s football team came from behind in the second half to outscore MonDak, 66-62, in six-man football action on Friday, Oct. 25.
Bainville Coach Shawn Romo believes this is the Bulldogs’ first solo conference championship since 1947. The last league championship team with the Culbertson co-op was 2006. Bainville’s last playoff game was 2016.
“I’m most proud of the kids stepping up and playing through some adversity,” Romo said. “The grit this group showed was something to watch.” The Bulldogs struck first in the game on a touchdown pass from Rowan Wilson to Parker Berwick, but the Thunder came right back to take a 7-6 lead. A pass from Wilson to Keagan Vaira put the Bulldogs back into the lead at 12-7.
After the Thunder grabbed a 14-12 advantage, Wilson ran in for a touchdown. The kick by Berwick put Bainville ahead 20-14. The Thunder returned the ensuing kickoff to pull to 2120 at the end of the opening quarter.
Behind by a 28-20 margin, the Bulldogs fought back on a pass play from Wilson to Berwick. The Bulldogs’ next touchdown came on a long pass from Wilson to Berwick. Wilson threw to Kyn Beery for the two-point conversion. Bainville, however, trailed 3533 at the half.
The Bulldogs struck quickly in the third quarter on a pass from Wilson to Berwick. Wilson hit Kaiden Holmes for the conversion and a 4035 lead.
After recovering an onsides kick, Bainville reached the end zone on another throw from Wilson to Berwick. The Bulldogs increased their lead to 53-35 when Wilson connected with Isaiah Bjorge on a touchdown pass.
The Thunder battled back to close the margin to 53-42 at the end of the third quarter.
Bainville responded with a touchdown pass from Wilson to Bjorge. A conversion pass to Berwick put the margin at 60-42.
After MonDak pulled to 6048 with 5:49 left, Bjorge broke away for a touchdown run to give Bainville a 66-48 advantage with 5:28 left to play.
MonDak scored a pair of touchdowns to cut the margin to 66-62 with 1:12 remaining, but Bainville held on for the victory.
The Bulldogs will host Highwood at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, in first-round playoff action.
