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A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
Defense proves the difference in county rivalry
Esko's Preston Lowe slips past Moose Lake-Willow River defenders Duane Broughton and Henry Ribich during a run play Friday in Willow River.
Esko's Keegan Akervik gets a handful of jersey as he stops MLWR's Blake Juhl from gaining any more yardage on a run play during Friday night's game in Willow River. Esko won with its defense, 20-18.
On a cool Friday night in Willow River, Esko pulled off a 20-18 upset to end the Rebels' four-game winning streak.
Despite four turnovers on the night, the Eskomos took advantage of an interception and an 87-yard return for a touchdown by Preston Lowe which broke a 12-12 tie. With a two-point conversion - also by Lowe - the Eskomos were able to hold off a late push by the Rebels in picking up the road victory.
"We hung in there," head coach Scott Arntson said. "Offensively we didn't execute like we wanted to, but our defense stepped up big all night long."
With each team failing to produce on its first possession of the game, the Rebels struck first when Logan Orvedahl scored the game's first touchdown on a 15-yard run. A failed two-point conversion made the score 6-0 with five minutes to play in the first quarter.
Esko tied the contest at 6-6 when Eli Blue took the Rebel kickoff and went 90 yards for the touchdown to tie the score at 6-6. MLWR would respond with a good kickoff return and a personal foul penalty added on. Blake Juhl put the Rebels back in front with a 1-yard touchdown run. Again the two-point conversion failed, and the Rebels led 12-6.
Sam Dupuis caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Vinje for the only score in the second quarter to tie the score at 12-12.
With two minutes remaining in the third quarter, it was Lowe who picked off the Mason Olson pass and returned it to the house for the Eskomos' first lead of the game at 20-12.
The Rebels responded early in the fourth quarter when Landin Kurhajetz caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Olson to cut the lead to two, but again the two-point conversion failed as the pass into the end zone was intercepted and Esko held a 20-18 lead.
Despite having a few opportunities in the fourth quarter, the Rebels offense was forced to punt twice and Vinje sealed the victory with a late interception.
With the win Esko improves to 3-2 on the season. They host Pine City at 5 p.m. at Esko Stadium tonight, an early start to allow for post-game homecoming activities.
MLWR will have a tough road contest against unbeaten and state-ranked Mora. The Rebels' overall record is 4-1.
