Bulldogs face league champion Pirates here Friday

TEKOA–The Bulldogs fell behind by two touchdowns in the first quarter then rallied to defeat the Timberwolves 34-26 here last week.

Dayton's make-up game against St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse last Monday was forfeited by SJEL on game day due to SJEL's lack of players, leaving the Dawgs with a 3-3 record and the last regular-season game coming up Friday against league champion Pomeroy. The Pirates sit fifth in WIAA state rankings behind DeSales in third and Liberty Christian (Richland) in first.

"The Dawgs rallied around each other, and fought the whole way through," said Head Coach Lucas Collier. "It took us a bit to get off and rolling but once we made a few adjustments, we started playing ball."

The Bulldogs cashed in on its Jordan McCowen to Denver Hutchens scoring combination, McCowen hitting his favorite receiver five times for touchdowns ranging from nine to 61 yards. Hutchens counted 230 yards receiving and 11 yards rushing.

McCowen kept the Timberwolves off balance by throwing to Silas Czapka and Will Durham, Czapka for a four-yard gain and Durham counted 22 receiving yards. His passing yards totaled 256.

The Dawgs lost center Anthony Jonas to injury and will face Pomeroy with a minimum crew, Collier noted. "Jonas has been a key player this year," Collier said.

Byron Collier did his part to keep the Timberwolf defense guessing, carrying the ball for 38 rushing yards.

Defensive leaders included Collier with 12 tackles, Hutchens with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery, with Durham dealing out some big hits and controlling his side of the field. Durham made seven tackles, two sacks and deflected a pass. Samuel Weiland shut down the middle with six solo tackles and two assists. Hunter Griffen made two solo tackles and four assists.

"Garrott Yost found that playing corner is a spot that fits him well," Collier said. "He shut down the deep ball, and brought in two solo tackles."

The Timberwolves jumped to a 14-0 lead on a 47-yard touchdown run by Westley Bryan and Soren Braun's 10-yard punch into the end zone.

The Bulldogs answered with McCowen's 34-yard strike to Hutchens to get on the scoreboard. In the second quarter, McCowen hit Hutchens with a 61-yard touchdown. Both PATs were good and Dayton was up 16-14.

Timberwolf quarterback Bryan sashayed into the end zone from six yards out giving T-R a 20-16 half time lead.

The Dawgs received the third-quarter kick off but fumbled with T-R recovering. They scored on a Jordan Gump six-yard rumble and a 26-16 lead.

Although T-R looked in command, that would be their last time in the end zone.

Late in the third, McCowen fired a throw at Collier on a crossing pattern with Hutchens. Collier was hit early drawing a pass-interference penalty, but the ball was tipped to Hutchens, who covered the remaining 53 yards unscathed.

Hutchens found pay dirt again in the fourth, catching a nine-yard McCowen throw for the 28-26 lead.

On T-R's next possession, there was a scuffle, and Timberwolf Bryan was ejected on unsportsmanlike conduct.

With the ball back, Dayton scored once more, a 27-yard McCowen-to-Hutchens touchdown.

Without Bryan, T-R struggled offensively and the final pass fell incomplete, giving Dayton the ball and they ran out the clock.

Dayton 34, Tekoa-Rosalia 26 (10/18)

Day 8 8 6 12-34

TR 14 6 6 0-26

TR-Bryan 47 yd rush. Bryan to Place.

TR-Braun 10 yd rush. Pat failed.

Day-Hutchens 34 yd pass from McCowen. Hutchens run.

Day-Hutchens 61 yd pass from McCowen. Collier pass from Hutchens.

TR-Braun 6 yd run. Pat failed.

TR-Gump 6 yd run. PAT failed.

Day-Hutchens 53 yd pass from McCowen. PAT failed.

Day-Hutchens 9 yd pass from McCowen. Pat failed.

Day-Hutchens 27 yd pass from McCowen. Pat failed.