The Sioux County Warriors overcame early problems with execution to defeat Minatare Friday 48-30.
The Warriors fumbled the ball five times in the first half, with the first one coming on the second play of the game. The mistake led to a Minatare touchdown and let the Indians take a 6-0 lead. When Sioux County took possession again, they negated a long gain with another lost fumble. Later in the quarter, the Warriors found themselves at 4th and 40 after a penalty, a bobbled snap and two tackles for losses. Sioux County found the endzone on a 65-yard touchdown run by Will Skavdahl with 5:20 remaining in the first quarter.
Minatare answered with a 15-yard passing touchdown three minutes later, only to have Sioux County score in 19 seconds on a pass from Skavdahl to Logan Monroe. The Warrior defense allowed Minatare to march down the field again, however, and the Indians went up 22-12 with five seconds left in the period. A defensive penalty as the clock ran out gave Sioux County an untimed down. After the second consecutive bobbled snap, Minatare intercepted the ball and the first quarter ended.
The Warriors woes continued in the second as they fumbled on the first possession, though they managed to recover it. Jack Hunter scored the first of his four touchdowns with 7:21 left in the half on a 45-yard run to make it 22-20 in favor of Minatare. Hunter followed that with an interception and a 10-yard run one minute later to give the Warriors their first lead 28-22. Hunter scored again with 4:13 left in the half to give the Warriors a 34-22 advantage at the break.
Sioux County recovered a Minatare fumble early in the third but lost ground after a penalty and a sack, eventually turning the ball over on downs at the eight-yard line. Minatare jogged in on the next play to close within four as the fourth quarter began. Hunter notched his fourth touchdown with 6:27 left in the game on a three-yard run to extend the Warriors’ lead to 42-30, and a Jadon Skavdahl interception set up Colton Randall to make a 23-yard catch to give Sioux County its final score. William Skavdahl secured an interception for the Warriors with two minutes left to make sure Minatare was kept at bay.
The Warriors end regular season action 4-4 on the year.