The Sioux County Warriors fell just short in an offensive shootout with the Potter-Dix Coyotes Friday.
Potter-Dix bested the undefeated Warriors 64-58. The points the Warriors needed for victory were left on the field, as the Coyotes blocked two point-after kicks, and Sioux County was unable to convert on five other point-after attempts.
Potter-Dix struck first in the game, scoring twice in the opening two and half minutes after recovering an onside kick. Dawson Monheiser scored on a fourth and sixth with a 33-yard run, and Kolby Labeau caught a pass from Dylan Tabor to give the Coyotes the edge. Sioux County answered with a 10-yard touchdown run by Jack Hunter, only to give up a 13-yard scoring run by Tabor less than a minute later. Trailing 24-6, Sioux County’s Baxter Reece connected with Josh Perez on a seven-yard pass to make it 24-12. In the final minute of the first quarter, both teams found the endzone again. Landon Gasseling hauled in a 54-yard pass for the Coyotes with 58 seconds left, and Hunter scrambled in from six yards out as the period ended, making 30-20, Coyotes.
The teams continued to trade scores in the second quarter, with Monheiser scrambling in from five yards out for Potter-Dix early. Reece responded with an 18-yard rushing touchdown for Sioux County 10 seconds later. The Warriors nabbed the onside kick but were intercepted in the end zone by Domonic Christensen. Two plays later, Sioux County’s Logan Monroe returned the favor and intercepted the Coyotes to set up an eight-yard rushing touchdown by Hunter to make it 38-32, Coyotes. Monheiser and Hunter each added another touchdown for their respective teams before half-time. Hunter’s was a 65-yard run, followed by a Sioux County fumble recovery.
The second half started with strong defensive stands by both teams, with Sioux County finally winning the offensive battle on a Hunter go-ahead touchdown that put the Warriors up 46-44. The Coyotes reclaimed the lead as the third quarter ended with a Gasseling touchdown to make it 52-46. The fourth quarter swung the way of the Coyotes early, with a second interception and a Gasseling touchdown. Reece put the Warriors back within six points with his own rushing score, but Potter-Dix answered with a Callen McConnell touchdown. Hunter made the final score for either team, giving Sioux County one final five-yard touchdown with three minutes left.