Estherville Iowa — After a scoreless first quarter Estherville Lincoln Central and Sheldon combined for 74 points the rest of the way as the Midgets held off the Orabs to win 41-33 at Estherville.
The Midgets scored the first two touchdowns of the game as quarterback Evan Olesen scored on an 11 yard run and Robert Sheridan found the end zone from 2 yards out. With 8:51 to go in the second quarter the lead was 12-0 after a pair of two point conversion attempts were no good.
Sheldon scored on the ensuing kick off as Tyler Lode went 89 yards for the score. Parker Nissen added the extra point and the lead was 14-7 with 8:36 to go in the half.
Sheldon scored on another big play as they took over on downs at their own 6 yard line. Jaden Kleinhesselink hit Brandon Winkel for a 94 yard touchdown pass and Nissen again added the extra point to make it 14-12 Sheldon with 3:48 left in the half.
The Orabs were on the board again as Phillip Cain forced a fumble on a pass completion and covered the loose ball at the Sheldon 2 yard line. The 98 yard drive came to an end on an Alex Zoelle 3 yard run. The extra point was blocked but the Orabs had taken a 20-12 lead with just :34 seconds left in the half.
Estherville Lincoln Central would score with no time left in the half as Olesen hit Bennett Loock on a 29 yard pass play. The Midgets got the 2-point conversion when Clay Budach scored on a reverse. At the half it was all even at 20-20.
The Midgets went in front 27-20 when Myles McDonald scored on a 26 yard run with 8:44 left in the third quarter. Aldo Alvarado added the extra point.
Sheldon tied it at 27-27 with 4:35 left in the third as Kleinhesselink found Phillip Cain on a 26 yard touchdown pass and Nissen added the extra point.
The Midgets countered with a 42 yard pass from Olesen to Trey Jacobson with 10:37 left to play. Alvarado added the extra point to make it 34-27.
Sheldon pulled within 34-33 with 5:50 left to play when Zoelle capped a 69 yard drive with a 1 yard score.
Estherville put the final points on the board with 1:40 left to play on a McDonald 3 yard run. Alvarado’s extra point made the final 41-33.
With the loss Sheldon is 3-3 on the year and 1-3 in the district. Estherville Lincoln Central moves to 2-4 on the year and 1-3 in the district. Sheldon returns home next Friday to host Sioux Center. The Midgets will be on the road at Pocahontas Area.
