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Long Prairie-Grey Eagle overcomes turnovers

By Taylor Lunemann, Long Prairie Leader, 09/26/11, 7:52AM CDT

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Thunder earn second win of season with 20-8 victory over Wadena-Deer Creek


Senior Sean Colton played well on both sides of the ball, rushing for a touchdown and recording a quarterback sack. Photo by Taylor Lunemann


The Thunder defense played well on the night stopping the WDC run game. Photo by Taylor Lunemann

The Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Thunder went on the road to take on a struggling Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverine team. The Wolverines were 0-3 coming into the game, while the Thunder were looking to bounce back after falling to Osakis the previous week.

The Thunder struggled to find the end zone at times, but their defense picked them up by shutting out WDC for three quarters to come out on top 20-8. 

In a game riddled with turnovers and penalties, both teams couldn't seem to get into the end zone. 
 
Early in the first quarter, the Thunder struck first after recovering a fumble at WDC's 13-yard line. Several plays later, running back Ben Frieler punched in a three-yard touchdown. Sean Colton ran in the two-point conversion. 
 
That would be all the scoring until the fourth quarter. 
 
Penalties derailed the Thunder all night long. Midway through the second quarter, the Thunder had a solid drive going, but a costly penalty backed them up to a second-and-long situation. They couldn't pick up any yards which forced Colton into a passing situation on 4th and 17. The Wolverines put on a nice blitz, sacking Colton and taking over at the 25. 
 
With 55 seconds left in the second quarter, the Thunder were attempting to strike before halftime. The Wolverines would yet again rush Colton and this time force a fumble and recover it at the 50. 
 
Colton redeemed himself by tackling the WDC runner for a seven-yard loss and followed that up with an eight-yard sack. WDC was not able to recover and was forced to punt.
 
With 2:15 left in the third quarter, another penalty ended a Thunder drive. It forced them into another third-and-long, and Colton was pressured and threw an interception. WDC returned it a couple yards but an illegal tackle gave the Wolverines the ball at the 47. 
 
At 2:04, John Dinkel picked off a pass and returned it to the WDC 46. 
 
Two plays later, Frieler broke a long run for 53 yards, but fumbled it into the end zone. It rolled out the side, resulting in a touchback and WDC ball at the 20. 
 
Early in the fourth quarter, the Thunder were able to add to their lead on a 14-yard run by Colton. The two-point attempt by Cody Steward got stopped, leaving the score at 14-0. 
 
A poor kickoff gave WDC good field position. Then for the first time of the night, WDC took the line of scrimmage, giving their runners some big holes to run through. Logan Meyer finished off the drive with a four-yard touchdown run with 8:57 remaining. 
 
Another penalty hurt the Thunder on the two-point conversion. The first attempt would fall incomplete, but the Thunder were flagged for pass interference. On the second attempt, Meyer punched in the two-point to make the score 14-8. 
 
WDC attempted an onside kick, but Lenard Bennett made a nice play diving on the ball never giving the Wolverines a chance of recovering it. 
 
Despite having to punt, the Thunder pinned WDC at the 15. 
 
A few plays later, WDC was able to complete a pass, but Dinkel came up big for the Thunder again. He made a nice hit on the receiver, forcing a fumble, then also recovered it. 
 
The Thunder were able to capitalize on this turnover. Frieler scored on a 1-yard touchdown run for his second of the night. The two-point attempt from Colton to Steward was no good bringing the score to 20-8. 
 
Another poor kickoff gave WDC good field position. Unfortunately for them, Dinkel came up with his second interception of the game and returned it 25 yards. Another penalty brought the run back 15 yards.
 
The Thunder were forced to punt again, giving WDC yet another chance to cut the lead down. Dinkel came up big yet again with his third interception of the game.
 
Despite taking over at the six-yard line, the Thunder picked up the one first down they needed and kneeled the rest of the way. 
 
Dinkel had an incredible night forcing four turnovers, all in the second half. He finished with three interceptions, a forced fumble, and fumble recovery. 
 
The defense also played well, shutting out the Wolverines for the first three quarters and only allowing 37 yards on the ground. 
 
Frieler ran hard all night rushing for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Despite the rough game, the Thunder improved to 2-2 on the season. "I told the boys I'd rather win ugly than lose pretty," head coach Gary Graham said. "I'll give them (WDC) credit, they hit people well."
 
The Thunder will be in better shape next week. Stanley Harvey will make his season debut after missing the first four games. Austin Kaiser will return after missing this game with a concussion and Preston Pung will also return.
 
The Thunder will host Upsala/Swanville Area for their homecoming next Friday.
 

 

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