WAITSBURG–With a cadre of experienced seniors and juniors tempered by last year's rocky 1-6 season, the Dayton-Waitsburg Wolfpack is hoping to turn their fortunes around this year and after shutting out the Granger Spartans 34-0 here last Friday, it appears things are looking up for the team

"The energy and effort was fantastic Friday night," commented Head Coach Troy Larsen.

"Even though we still made a lot of mistakes, we played good football. Kaylub Prather, Hudson Reser, Spencer Hansen, Preston Hansen, and Monte Pettichord lead with the energy and good play."

The Wolfpack defense kept the Spartans on their heels. The visitors coughed up the ball on a number of occasions. Monte Pettichord, Preston Hansen, Levi Boudrieau and Issac Conover each forced fumbles, and Spencer Hansen and Lucas Vanhoose each nipped a pair of interceptions from Granger. Jayce Gleason counted two quarterback sacks, Prather and Boudrieau each making one.

When Granger wasn't turning the ball over, their running backs and quarterback were being swarmed. Defensive highlights were Jarod Hankins with six solo tackles and three assisted tackles. Prather with five solo tackles, six assisted tackles. Blake French with five solo, three assisted, two sacks, and one hurry. Jace Gleason with four solo, four assisted. Boudrieau with four solos, four assisted. Preston Hansen with three solos, four assisted. VanHoose with two solo tackles. Pettichord with four solos, one assisted, and one hurry. Spencer Hansen with two solos, one assisted.

The DW offense, with 6-0, 180-lb. senior quarterback Monte Pettichord at the tiller, gobbled up 456 yards of total offense, overwhelming the Granger defense. Pettichord completed 17 passes for 166 yards and shared rushing duties with 5-10, 170-lb. senior running back Preston Hansen with 132 yards on 10 carries and one touchdown, and slippery running back Hudson Reser, 5-6, 130-lbs., who garnered three touchdowns while making 89 yards on 16 carries.

Spencer Hansen was on the receiving end of six Pettichord throws, tallying 117 yards and one touchdown.

-Chronicle photo by Sarinda Carrigan

Senior running back Hudson Reser (9) crosses the end line for a touchdown in Dayton-Waitsburg's 34-0 season-opening win over Granger. DW chalked up 456 yards of offense, with Reser counting 89 yards on 16 carries and three touchdowns.

The Wolfpack jumped to a 12-0 lead in the first half and chalked up two more touchdowns in the third quarter for a 26-0 lead going into the final stanza. Another touchdown and two-point conversion in the fourth solidified the 34-0 shutout win for Dayton-Waitsburg.

Reser punched in the first touchdown in the opening quarter. Then Spencer Hansen scored in the second period. Both extra points were missed.

Reser and Preston Hansen both scored touchdowns in the third quarter. Reser capped the game with the fourth-quarter touchdown.