WAITSBURG–A thrilling goal-line stand in the second quarter with the Dayton-Waitsburg Wolfpack leading 16-0 broke the White Swan Cougars' spirit and the local team went on to celebrate a 53-8 homecoming win here September 23.

"It could have been a 16-8 game with momentum with White Swan," commented Head Coach Troy Larsen, "but it turned out to be a 16-point swing with the long drive and freshman Brenton Seagraves scooping up a White Swan fumble on the kick off and scampering 40 yards for the touchdown.

"What I was proud about was the total team effort and the positive energy our Wolfpack players brought to the field," Larsen said. "Every player was able to see the field and all of them contributed to the win."

Hudson Reser was named offensive player of the game, running for 201 yards and a touchdown. Reser ran hard and followed his blockers for a great game, Larsen said.

Defensively, Kaylub Prather was everywhere, accounting for 15½ tackles and moving around from linebacker to nose guard, causing a lot of pressure on the White Swan offense, he said.

White Swan elected to receive the kickoff and moved 25 yards before giving the ball up on downs.

Senior quarterback Monte Pettichord then engineered a seven-play, 63-yard drive, busting in the last five yards for DW's first score. With the pass to Spencer Hansen, the Wolfpack lead 8-0.

The Cougars went three and out and DW came right back with another drive, even bouncing back from a ten-yard penalty with Pettichord rolling left and hitting Cyson Morris for a 39-yard pass on second and one. Hudson Reser moved the ball to the two and Preston Hansen walked in for six with 1:29 on the first-quarter clock.

White Swan started an 80-yard drive deep into Wolfpack territory and were first-and-goal on the one. Kaylub Prather stuffed the first dive by White Swan, Preston Hansen dropped the second for a one-yard loss and Prather again met the Cougar ball carrier, throwing him back to the five for fourth and goal. White Swan's pass attempt was intercepted by Cyson Morris.

Dayton-Waitsburg then methodically picked their way over the next 96 yards in six plays. Pettichord found S. Hansen for a 33-yard reception to the White Swan 49 yard line. Then Reser pinballed his way through the Cougar defense for a 35-yard gain to the Cougar 14. Pettichord carried the ball to the eight, missed receiver Daylan Marlow in the end zone, then hit S. Hansen for six. Pettichord's PAT run made it 24-0.

On the kickoff, the ball carrier fumbled the ball into the hands of Brenton Segraves, who ambled 40 yards to the end zone. With Pettichord's point-after pass to P. Hansen, DW was firmly in command, 32-0.

In the third quarter, DW easily advanced 57-yards on its first possession to a Pettichord to S. Hansen touchdown of 27 yards. Spencer Hansen booted the extra point, 39-0.

DW's defense stopped the Cougars again and DW drove 30 yards in two plays-a 26-yard gain by Reser and a four-yard plunge by P. Hansen, to start the running clock at 47-0. DW's final touchdown was a five-yard punch by Homecoming King Hudson Reser. The PAT kick was blocked.

White Swan drove 57 yards in six plays for a fourth-quarter touchdown.

Dayton-Waitsburg 53, White Swan 8 (9/23)

WS 0 0 0 8-8

DW 16 16 21 0-53

DW-Pettichord 5 yd run.  S. Hansen pass from Pettichord.

DW-P. Hansen 1 yd run. Pettichord run.

DW-S. Hansen 8 yd pass from Pettichord. Pettichord run.

DW-Brenton Seagraves 40 yd fumble return. P. Hansen pass from Pettichord.

DW- S. Hansen 30 yd pass from Pettichord. S. Hansen kick.

DW-P. Hansen 4 yd run. S. Hansen pass from Pettichord. 

DW-Reser 5 yd run. Kick blocked.

WS-#12 7 yd run. Run good.