Lakeview running back Clayton Kosel (10) running through a wave of Dawson-Boyd Blackjack defenders in match-up on Saturday, Oct.30th, 2022.

DAWSON– The Lakeview Lakers knew two things after an Oct. 30th, 16-8 loss to the Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks, that it would be a learning lesson for them and that they would see them again. It was a hard-fought battle and the Lakers came out on top 38-32 advancing to the Section 5A football championship game. This game had a lot of explosive plays from both teams, which was quite different from their first meeting in the season.

The Lakers started with the ball and quickly drove down the field on the Blackjacks getting deep into their territory. However, Dawson-Boyd would stand firm and stop Lakeview on fourth down from converting any points. The Blackjacks took over and efficiently ran the ball down the field executing a drive that would be capped by an Aiden Swenson six-yard touchdown, giving the Blackjacks the early lead of 8-0.

The Lakers would respond with a drive of their own led by Owen Louwagie, who threw a lot of screen catches and runs to set up a six-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Fenske. Tying up the game at eight all early in the second quarter. On the ensuing possession, starting running back for the Blackjacks Holt Larson broke free for a 73-yard touchdown run putting Dawson-Boyd back on top 14-8. It would be the first of Larson’s three touchdowns on the day.

After a Lakers punt gave it back to the Blackjacks, their drive would stall as well setting up a fourth down in Lakers territory near midfield. Dawson-Boyd tried a fake punt but was stopped by Lakeview and they would take over on downs. The very next play Louwagie threw a swing pass to Greg Schaefer,  he made a defender miss and took it 54 yards for the touchdown. The Lakers regained the lead 16-14, where that score would stand going into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Blackjacks would receive the ball and Levi Olson would run 65 yards for a touchdown putting Dawson-Boyd back up on top, 20-16. Immediately responding coming out for the second half.

Then the Lakers would do the same

On their next possession starting running back Clayton Kosel would score the first of his three second-half touchdowns, this one for 36 yards, putting Lakeview back up by four, 24-20.

Then the play of the game happened.

The Lakers would kick off and had a tremendous bounce where Holt Larson would touch the ball and pick it up at the one-yard line. Larson would then run evading tacklers and go 99 yards untouched to put the Blackjacks back up by two, 26-24 in a wild sequence in the third quarter. That score would stay the same heading into the fourth.

Lakeview would calmly take the ball down the field behind an offensive line that imposed their will by running the ball in the second half. The Lakers got down to the one-yard line of the Blackjacks and were denied a touchdown twice on two consecutive plays. Kosel finally would score and retake the lead for the Lakers 32-26 early in the fourth quarter.

The Blackjacks we’re far from finished.

Dawson-Boyd possessed the ball and would go on a lengthy drive and would cap it off by giving it to Larson from nine yards out to tie the game at 32 all. The Blackjacks went for two to take the lead but the conversion failed and the score was still tied with just five minutes left remaining in the game.

The Lakers got the ball and had to punt as the Blackjacks got the defensive stop they needed. However, the Blackjacks were also stopped on their offensive possession and had to punt but their punt was blocked by the Lakers’ defense. Lakeview had the ball deep into Dawson-Boyd territory with less than three minutes remaining in the game.

The Lakers drove the ball down to the 13-yard line and Kosel would score on the next play from 13 yards out. Lakeview regained the lead 38-32, with under a minute left to play.

The Blackjacks would drive the ball down the field, mainly behind the legs of starting quarterback Keegan Wicht. Dawson-Boyd was out of timeouts and had three seconds remaining in the game and was in Lakers territory. Wicht then dropped back to pass, under some pressure and he threw one up in the end zone as time expired. Brayson Boike, starting receiver for the Blackjacks hauled in the catch but was ruled out of bounds, ending the game and Dawson-Boyd season.

“I’m just really proud of coaches, players, fans, and just our whole community,” Lakers head coach Scott Hanson said. “We’re not done yet but we’re excited to get back to the championship game. Hats off to a great Dawson-Boyd football team. This was a great game between two great football teams and this was a great section football kind of atmosphere. We know that this next game is going to be big for Minneota and big for us, come Friday at 2 p.m. both teams will be at Mattke Field at Southwest State and we will see what happens.”

Hanson also added that they were able to stay Infront of the chains and continue to get positive yards. He also stated that he liked how the offensive and defensive lines played in the contest. Lastly, talked about the balance of the offense and how he liked it a lot.

The Lakeview Lakers will face off against the Minneota Vikings for the Section 5A championship on Friday, Nov.4th at SMSU. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.

“It was kind of a roller coaster ride with both teams making big plays,” Blackjacks head coach Cory Larson said.” Nobody ever sustained the momentum of this game. It was a hard-fought game and hats off to Lakeview, they’re an exceptional football team.”

Larson also added about Larson and the other eight seniors on the team being a special group of kids to coach and how wonderful this group is just as individuals.

We would like to recognize the nine senior Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks football players for a wonderful final season:

Keegan Wicht, Holt Larson, Aiden Swenson, Levi Olson, Nathen Gruwell, Garret Kostad, Jackson Buer, Carter Bowen and Nathan Kittelson.