The Sheldon Orabs opened the District schedule with a 28-16 win over the Pioneers in Milford Friday night.
Okoboji opened the scoring with a 65 yard drive on the first possession of the ballgame. Austin Harms went 17 yards for the score and added the extra point as well to make it 7-0 with 10:11 left in the first quarter.
After a fumble recovery at their own 40 another Pioneer drive stalled out but resulted in points as Harms converted on a 28 yard field goal attempt to make it 10-0 with 5:39 left in the first quarter.
Sheldon answered with an 80 yard drive that ended as Casen Johannes scored from the 2 yard line. Mathew Meyer added the extra point and the Orabs were within 10-7 with 1:40 left in the first quarter.
Sheldon took the lead on a big defensive play as Okoboji had driven deep in Sheldon territory. Coy De Boer picked off a pass at the Orab 1 yard line and Sheldon proceeded to go 99 yards in the other direction. Blake Radke found Max Hamill for a 32 yard score with :16 seconds left in the half. Meyer added the extra point and the lead was 14-10 at halftime.
Sheldon received the opening kick off to start the second half and used just over 7 minutes on an 80 yard drive that ended when Johannes scored on a 4 yard run. Meyer added the extra point and the lead was 21-10 with 4:55 left in the third.
Okoboji took over on downs at their own 26 yard line and went 74 yards for the score with Harms capping the drive with a 26 yard run. The 2 point attempt was no good and the lead had been cut to 21-16 with a full 8:38 left to play.
Sheldon scored the clincher with 4:54 to go as they went on a 58 yard drive with Jacob Enger getting the final 14 for the score. Meyer finished a perfect night with the extra point and the final score would be 28-16 in favor of the Orabs.
With the win Sheldon is even at 2-2 on the year and 1-0 in the district. Okoboji is 1-3 for the year and opens the district chase at 0-1.
Sheldon will celebrate homecoming with West Lyon in town. Okoboji travels to Unity.
