Dawson Bushman sheds a would-be tackler to convert the two-point conversion during the third quarter of Friday’s win in Wadena.

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The Otter Tail Central Bulldog defense held Wadena-Deer Creek to just nine yards passing and five total first downs on their way to a 34-14 win over the Wolverines on Friday night. 

In their first meeting since 2018, the Bulldogs outgained the Wolverines 316 to 193 yards in total offense and OTC held WDC to just 1-8 on third down and 0-2 on fourth down attempts.

The Bulldogs got things going in the first quarter as Tayden Soma scored on an eight-yard run. The two-point conversion was successful to make the score 8-0. 

In the second quarter, William Schwartz broke loose for a 47-yard touchdown run, but the two-point conversion was no good to leave the score at 14-0. On the ensuing kickoff, WDC found the end zone on a 60-yard touchdown run and successfully converted the two-point conversion to make the score 14-8 in favor of OTC.

Todd Bjerke had just one catch, but it converted a fourth down for a first down in the second half of Friday.

Later in the quarter, Soma found the end zone for the second time in the half as he scored on an 11-yard run to give OTC a 20-8 lead at halftime.

The Bulldogs put the game out of reach in the third quarter as William Durbin recovered a fumble in the end sone and OTC converted the two-point conversion, before Schwartz scored his second touchdown of the game, this time from 17-yards out to give the Bulldogs a 34-8 lead. 

WDC scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter on a four-yard run, but would get no closer as OTC came away with its third win of the season, this time by a score of 34-14. 

As a team the Bulldogs passed for 62 yards compared to just nine for WDC. OTC rushed for 254 yards on the ground, compared to 184 for the Wolverines and the Bulldogs also picked up 14 first downs in the win. 

Photo by Chad Koenen
Tayden Soma follows a group of Otter Tail Central blockers through the hole during Friday’s game against the Wolverines. Soma finished with a pair of touchdowns in the win.

Schwartz led the way on the ground as he rushed 17 times for 122 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Meanwhile, Soma rushed for 69 yards on 13 carries and a pair of scores. 

Reece Christensen rushed five times for 29 yards, Braxtyn Cameron rushed six times for 24 yards, Anthony Rousu rushed one time for four yards, Trystan Loghry rushed one time for three yards and Dawson Bushman rushed one time for three yards to round out the rushing attack.

Cameron went 5-9 passing for 62 yards and an interception through the air. 

Todd Bjerke was the leading receiver with one catch for 21 yards, while Steven Mills caught a pair of passes for 19 yards. Soma caught one pass for 15 yards and Schwartz caught one pass for seven yards. 

This week the undefeated Bulldogs will take on undefeated Lake Park-Audubon as part of homecoming week in Battle Lake. 

The Raiders come into the game with a record of 3-0 after defeating West Central Area 28-14, Wadena-Deer Creek 55-8 and Menahga 27-14. They average 36.7 points per game on offense, while surrendering 12 points per game on defense. 

OTC is also 3-0 and averages 26 points per game on offense, while giving up 15.3 points per game on defense.