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First field goal try, first make for Springfield kicker rallies team to 24-22 victory

By JOE GUNTHER, Star Tribune, 11/10/18, 1:45PM CST

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Decker Scheffler kicked a 34-yard field goal with 5:23 left as the Tigers defeated Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity.

Springfield's Isaac Fink dives into the end zone late in the second quarter against Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity. Fink scored twice  for the Tigers in their 24-22 victory over the Bulldogs. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Springfield's Isaac Fink dives into the end zone late in the second quarter against Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity. Fink scored twice for the Tigers in their 24-22 victory over the Bulldogs. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Decker Scheffler's first field goal try in a game came with his Springfield team trailing 22-21 to Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity with 5:23 left in the Class 1A quarterfinal game Saturday at Shakopee West Junior High School.

Scheffler's 34-yarder sailed through the uprights, giving the Tigers a lead that held up.

Scheffler's only kicks before then had come in practice. Springfield coach Bob Fink said he initially called a fake field goal on the play, but the Bulldogs played for it.

Scheffler was hesitant to try the kick, but was reassured by his coach before he nailed it.

“We do that every day in practice,” Tigers senior wide receiver Isaac Fink said. “They are either right through the middle or they’re 50 yards to the right. He was going to get one of the two. Luckily, this one went down the middle. I bet if he had to kick another one it would be way to the right.”

Springfield running back Mason Rummel takes the ball off tackle for a nice gain against Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity. Rummel carried the bulk of the load to set up the game-winning field goal for the Tigers. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Springfield running back Mason Rummel takes the ball off tackle for a nice gain against Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity. Rummel carried the bulk of the load to set up the game-winning field goal for the Tigers. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

First report

Springfield trailed Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity until there was 5:23 left in the game. Decker Scheffler kicked a 34-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 24-22 lead that held up to win the Class A quarterfinal game Saturday at Shakopee West Junior High School.

Isaac Fink sealed the victory on the ensuing drive by intercepting a long pass by Michael Ziermann, his second interception in the game, with 4:53 left. The Tigers ran out the clock from there.

The Bulldogs (8-4) took an early 14-0 lead. Dylan Ruzicka scored on a three-yard touchdown run. They extended the lead on their next drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Ziermann to Nathaniel Hausladen 56 seconds into the second quarter.

The Tigers (8-4) went three-and-out on each of their first three drives. However, a bad snap on a Bulldogs punt attempt gave them good field position midway through the first half. On fourth-and-21 with 4:23 left in the second quarter, Decker Scheffler lofted a pass to Isaac Fink in the end zone for a 36-yard touchdown.

The Tigers got to within one point on a one-yard touchdown run by Fink with 13 seconds left in the first half.

The Bulldogs regained some momentum on the first drive of the second half. Ziermann threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Parker Bayerl 6:45 into the third quarter.

Fink threw a touchdown pass to quarterback Scheffler in the third quarter to get the Tigers back to within a point with 32 seconds left in the in the third quarter.

Check back later for an update.

Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity running back Tyler Scheevel braces for contact from Springfield's  Curtis Tauer along the sideline. The Bulldogs fell to the Tigers 24-22. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity running back Tyler Scheevel braces for contact from Springfield's Curtis Tauer along the sideline. The Bulldogs fell to the Tigers 24-22. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

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