The South O’Brien Wolverines traveled to Sioux Central Friday night for the opening game of the 2023 season. This was a nondistrict game with the Rebels. The final score ended up with a 9-20 loss for the Wolverines but several missed opportunities led to the loss.
The first quarter was a back and forth affair for both teams. Neither offense could sustain a great drive with the Wolverines forced to punt once and turned the ball over with a fumble on the 6-yard line to end another drive in the first quarter. The Rebels were forced to punt 3 times in the first quarter.
The Wolverines were able to kick a field goal with 10:08 in the 2nd quarter. Derek Paulsen lined up a 42-yard field goal and banged it off one upright but made it over the crossbar. This gave the Wolverines the only score of the first half for either team. The Rebels did threaten once right before half but Junior Derek Paulsen intercepted a short pass down on the 4 yard line.
The Wolverines received the kick in the second half but fumbled the ball on the 36-yard line and gave the Rebels good field position. They ended up scoring on 4th and goal from the 2-yard line and kicked the extra point. This made the score 7 to 3 with 10:24 to go in the 3rd quarter.
The Wolverine special teams continued to play well and Willie Conley returned a 70-yard kick return on the ensuing kickoff. The extra point kick failed and the Wolverines regained the lead with 10:20 to go in the 3rd quarter 9 to 7.
The Rebels did put a drive together in the 3rd quarter that went 10 plays for 59 yards and allowed them to regain the lead with 6:39 to go in the 3rd quarter. The 2-point conversion fell incomplete but gave the home team a 13 to 9 lead.
The Wolverines weren’t able to get convert on 2 drives in the fourth quarter and the Rebels did score one more touchdown with 29 seconds to go in the game on a 4th down play as they were trying to run out the clock.
Justice Frerk was 5-12 for 79 yards on Friday. Willie Conley had most of the receptions with 3 for 48 yards. Justin Paulsen was the leading rusher with 12 carries for 43 yards. Defensively, Aaron Funkhouser had a sack, and Mitchell Enger led all tacklers with 11 tackles.
Next week the Wolverines host Sheldon for another non-district game. We are looking to smooth the rough edges and get things back on track next Friday at 7:00pm.