Sioux Center, Iowa — The Dordt Defender football team evened its record at 1-1 this season with a 30-9 win over Waldorf in non-conference play at Sioux Center, Iowa on Saturday night, September 7.
The Defenders appeared poised to break a 0-0 tie in the first quarter when Josh Mrazek picked off a Waldorf pass at the 22 yard line of the Warriors. Dordt’s drive stalled without a first down and the Defenders settled for a field goal try from 41 yards and that was wide right with 8:22 left in the first quarter.
It was Waldorf that broke through after a Dordt fumble later in the quarter. Waldorf got a 14 yard pass completion to end a 25 yard drive with 4:11 left in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.
Neither offense was able to move the ball with regularity until Dordt’s final drive of the first quarter. Levi Schoonhoven had a 54 yard run on the first play from the Dordt 27 and Tyler Reynolds ended the drive on the fourth play with a seven yard run to make it 7-7 after the Brett Zachman point after.
Dordt’s defense held on the next possession and forced a punt and Dordt took over near midfield and it was four running plays—three by the quarterback Reynolds, that covered the 52 yards and gave Dordt a 14-7 lead that stood until halftime. Waldorf did have a threat near the end of the half that ended at the Dordt 32 as time ran out.
Waldorf had the first possession of the second half and worked into Dordt territory but Connor Bosma had an interception to end the drive. Dordt’s ensuing drive ended with a punt that Waldorf mishandled and the Defenders took advantage, going the final 29 yards after the fumble. Tyler Reynolds completed a shot pass to Carter Schiebout and the freshman did the rest in carrying it over for a 23 yard catch and run.
The Warriors best chance to crawl back into the game came midway through the quarter when Jeff Jones fumbled as he dove to the goal line and Dordt recovered. Tyler Reynolds was tackled on the first play in the end zone and Waldorf got a safety to make it 21-9.
Bosma picked off another pass on the next drive, and returned it to the 25 yard line of Waldorf. Levi Schoonhoven blasted in on the first play from scrimmage and the Defenders added a Brett Zachman 23 yard field goal with 1:10 left in the game for the 30-9 final.
