WAITSBURG–Adversity rared its ugly head last Friday in Dayton-Waitsburg's homecoming game as the Mabton Vikings came to town and cruised to a 48-6 win over a young Wolfpack squad.
The Wolfpack visits River View tonight, Thursday, October 21, for a 7 p.m. kick off.
Dayton-Waitsburg's record is 0-4 in the EWAC and 1-4 overall.
For DW, the highlight of the game was a sustained, fourth-quarter drive ending with Hudson Reser, Wolfpack's zippy junior runningback, squirting into the end zone for DW's lone score.
"I felt our team has been prepared every game for what offensive and defensive formations and plays that they will see during the games," commented Head Coach Troy Larsen. "We have struggled giving the starters a good look in practice with low numbers to be effective on the scout team. The result is the size and speed of our opponents have made us timid early in the games and by the time we realize we can play with these teams we have already dug some big holes to come out of."
DW was also lacking two linemen on the field, and another linemen was ejected in the second quarter, he said.
"We really struggled blocking and tackling up front," Larsen said.
Mabton jumped to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter and put up three more touchdowns in the second quarter for a 41-0 half-time lead.
Reser carried the mail 13 times for 66 yards and one touchdown, and quarterback Monte Pettichord had eight carries for 58 yards. Fortune had four rushes for 12 yards.
Pettichord completed three of 10 passes for 54 yards. Catching Pettichord passes was Cyson Morris for 32 yards, Brayden Mohney for 21 yards and Daylan Marlow for 1 yard.
"Once we learn to tackle low on defense and block to the whistle on offense, we are going to start competing for victories with this young team," Larsen said. "Mabton has a senior team and is finally at their full roster. I look for Mabton to throw a wrench in our league the last couple of weeks with their size and speed."
Mabton 48, Dayton-Waitsburg 6 (10-15)
DW 0 0 0 6-6
Mab 20 21 7 0-48