By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Silver Lake outlasted archrival Rossville 42-27 at Silver Lake Friday, exacting a measure of revenge for a one-point overtime loss a year ago and improving to 2-0 in the Big East League in the process.
Junior Dominic Monhollon rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns in Silver Lake's 42-27 win over rival Rossville. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Silver Lake trailed late in the second period, but scored a touchdown and then turned a last-second interception into a field goal to go up 29-21. Rossville stayed in the fight thanks to a valiant effort from quarterback Landen Lewis, but the visitors were held scoreless for the final 17 minutes while the Eagles pulled away.
Silver Lake sophomore Kipton Kruger passed for 173 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles' 42-27 win over Rossville. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN[
Silver Lake quarterback Kipton Kruger fired a touchdown strike to receiver Mason VanVactor with 21 seconds left in the second quarter, putting the Eagles up 26-21.
On the first play following the kickoff, with little time remaining, Rossville’s Lewis attempted a pass in the flat from his own 40 yard line. VanVactor stepped into the passing lane to intercept the throw and raced to the six yard line before he was dragged down from behind.
With just seconds remaining, VanVactor kicked a 23-yard field goal to extend the halftime lead to 29-21.
“I think that switched the game,” said Silver Lake coach Logan Pegram. “I think they had a lot of momentum going in there and to see them come out and throw the ball really surprised me. Mason made a break on a comeback route, setting us up for a field goal that gave us a lot of momentum going into the half.”
Workhorse back Dominic Monhollon rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries to lead Silver Lake.
“Whatever the coach needs, I got it,” Monhollon said. “He needs me to run the ball I got it. He needs me to catch the ball, I got it. I get tired, but then I always got Tyler (Rollenhagen) to come in and help me.''
Kruger completed 18 of 23 throws for 173 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers.
Rossville junior quarterback Landen Lewis rushed for 140 yards and passed for 214 yards in the Bulldawgs' 42-27 loss to Silver Lake. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Rossville’s Lewis put the Bulldawgs on his back and kept things interesting to the final whistle. The senior passed for 214 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 140 yards and a score on 18 carries. Lewis was involved in all but 11 of Rossville’s yards from scrimmage and every one of the Bulldawgs’ points.
“It feels great going out there with my guys, putting up 42 on (Rossville), and holding them,” Monhollon said. “I feel like they are a pretty good run team, but we stopped them, held strong until the end.”
“I’ve been harping about the process all week and we never try to make one game too big. I thought the kids came out and executed after we settled down a little bit,” Pegram said about the significance of the War on 24. “Both communities are very proud. Those kids played their butts off over on the other side, and our kids played well. The nerves are there, so we were proud of the way they settled down, especially defensively in the second half.”
SILVER LAKE 42, ROSSVILLE 27
Rossville (1-1, 1-1) 7 14 6 0 -- 27
Silver Lake (2-0, 2-0) 7 22 7 6 -- 42
Silver Lake – Johnson 8 pass from Kruger (VanVactor kick)
Rossville – Dick 25 pass from Lewis (Goj kick)
Rossville – Lewis 1 run (Goj kick)
Silver Lake – Monhollon 10 run (VanVactor kick)
Silver Lake – Monhollon 20 run (kick failed)
Rossville – Gentry 19 pass from Lewis (Goj kick)
Silver Lake – VanVactor 23 pass from Kruger (run failed)
Silver Lake – VanVactor 23 field goal
Rossville – Horgan 16 pass from Lewis (pass failed)
Silver Lake – Young 35 pass from Kruger (VanVactor kick)
Silver Lake – Monhollon 1 run (run failed)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing – Rossville: Lewis 18-140, Horgan 3-0, Lacock 2-7, Gentry 1-4. Silver Lake: Monhollon 25-166, Kruger 4-13, Rollenhagen 5-11.
Passing – Rossville: Lewis 17-25-2 214 yards. Silver Lake: Kruger 18-23-0 173 yards.
Receiving – Rossville: Lacock 1-7, Dick 2-57, Horgan 6-88, Horak 6-44, Benke 1-(minus)1, Gentry 1-19. Silver Lake: VanVactor 4-21, Johnson 5-54, Ross 4-28, Rottinghaus 4-35, Young 1-35.
Punting – Rossville: Graves 1-32.0. Silver Lake: none.
