The Pelican Rapids Vikings scored early and held the visiting Hornets off the board in a 21-0 shutout of Frazee to wrap up the regular season at home Wednesday, Nov. 11.
“We were able to take advantage of a Frazee turnover to be in great field position inside the Frazee 10-yard line for our first score and only had to go 50 yds for our second score,” Vikings head coach David Haugen said.
Johnny Ziebell picked up a Dylan Selly fumble on a second down run and returned the ball to the Hornets’ nine-yard line on Frazee’s fifth play to start the game.
Ziebell pounded two short runs into the Frazee middle before quarterback McHale Korf scored from the two. Alex Lynnes kick was good for a 7-0 lead at the 8:44 mark of the first quarter.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pelican Rapids’ defenders forced the Hornets to punt after giving up only three yards on three plays and Korf and the offense took over at the Frazee 49-yard line after a punt.
The Vikings moved into scoring position on an eight-play drive, six runs and a couple passes, to set up Ziebell from the two to go up 14-0 less than eight minutes into the game.
“After getting two first quarter touchdowns, the game turned into a real serious defensive struggle,” said Haugen. “Frazee is physical with some good players and we weren't able to find openings like we had the last two games. A lot of credit tonight goes to the defense. Shutouts are real hard to come by and our guys were able to come up with the big play every time it was needed.”
Frazee’s first drive of the second quarter started in Pelican territory but only lasted two plays when Hornet quarterback Broden Fleisher was picked off by Logan Fahje.
The remainder of the half was played midfield with neither defense allowing much progress.
ADVERTISEMENT
The third quarter was much of the same until Frazee got to the Viking red zone but the drive stalled on a Korf interception.
Looking to cash in on the turnover, Pelican’s offense drove inside the Frazee 15-yard line but was turned over on downs.
A short punt four plays later gave the Vikings the ball at the Hornet 34 and Carter Johnson cemented the win, finishing off the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run with a minute to play.
Both defensive units were stout. Pelican held Frazee to 155 total yards, while the Vikings only put up 185. Turnovers were big, four for the Hornets (2-4), only one for Pelican Rapids (4-1).
“This was a great end to the regular season, especially for the seniors,” said Haugen.
Section 8AA seeding will be announced Friday. Pelican Rapids is the likely two-seed after Ottertail Central defeated Hawley 30-19 in Henning. Barnesville will be the top seed. Frazee is just below the top four and will likely open the playoffs on the road.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pelican Rapids 21, Frazee 0
FRA 0 0 0 0 - 0
PEL 14 0 0 7 - 21
PEL - McHale Korf 2 run (Alex Lynnes kick)
PEL - Johnny Ziebell 2 run (Lynnes kick)
PEL - Carter Johnson 7 run (Lynnes kick)
