Knights survive in Pillager – win Sub-District

Friday night had the local Knights making the trek to Pillager to play what has become a heated rivalry over the past few years. They managed to fight through four turnovers to top the Huskies 28-20. WCA/A finished their Midwest Blue Sub-District season with a record of 3-0, marking the first time the Knights have won their sub-district.  The Knights end the regular season with an overall record of 4-2.

The Knights started quickly, recovering a Pillager fumble on the first snap from scrimmage. Three plays later Jaden Norby rumbled into the end zone from 5 yards out and scored. With 4:42 left in the first quarter, Pillager answered back, tying the score at 6-6 with a 21-yard TD pass.  WCA/Ashby regained the lead with Jaden Norby scoring on another 5-yard run with only 49 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.

Pillager forged ahead with a pair of second quarter defensive TD’s, recovering a fumble and plucking a loose ball out of the air on the ensuing kickoff.  This 14-point swing within 13 seconds gave Pillager a 20-12 lead. The Knights responded with another scoring drive, with Anthony Sykora taking it in from 2-yards out. With 5:50 left the game was tied at 20-20. The Knights had one more chance to score but were denied on a 4th and goal play to end the first half.

On the opening drive of the second half Jordan Lohse broke free for a 58-yard run, setting up a 9-yard TD run for himself.  The two-point conversion pass from Evan Paulson to Torin Olson put the final score at 28-20. 

The Knights ended up with 322 total yards, 234 on the ground and 88 through the air.  Individual leaders were Lohse (9 carries, 114 yards, 2 receptions, 41 yards, 1 TD), Norby (12 carries, 61 yards, 4 completions, 5 attempts, 28 yards, 2 receptions, 60 yards, 2 TDs), Sykora (17 carries, 59 yards, 1 TD) and Paulson (60 passing yards). Pillager finished with 185 yards of total offense in the game.

Norby led the defensive effort by the Knights, recording 9.5 tackles (6 solo, 7 assisted).  Nate Kisgen assisted on 9 tackles in the game.