Denfeld Falls In Playoff Opener

October 22nd, 2014

Tyler Peterson-NSO

The Duluth Denfeld Hunters traveled to play Princeton on Tuesday in the 7AAAA playoff opener. The Hunters would fall to the Tigers 48-24, ending their season.

Princeton jumped out to the early lead, going up 6-0 from a 6 yard touchdown by Cody Schuelke. Denfeld wouldn’t have an answer for the Princeton offense, as the Tigers scored again when Sam Archer found Nick Zeroth on a 70 yard pass to go up 12-0 early. Princeton went up 19-0 in the 1st quarter when Wyatt Dahlheimer plunged into the end zone from 4 yards out. Duluth Denfeld got on the board at the end of the 1st quarter, when Terrance Wenzel ran from 11 yards out to cut the Tigers lead down to 19-8.

Princeton dominated the 2nd quarter, scoring 16 unanswered points to go up 35-8 before half. Scoring first in the 2nd quarter was Dahlheimer, this time from 2 yards out boosting the lead to 27-8. Then Schuelke got in from 3 yards out, pushing the lead to 35-8.

The Tigers continued their hot streak into the 3rd quarter, with Dahlheimer scoring 2 more times, both from 1 yard out, to put the lead to 48-8. Denfeld would finish the game strong, however, with  Tommy Jackson and Kadin Ferguson hooking up on a 76 yard touchdown pass. Denfeld scored once more before the final horn, with Nate Nason plunging into the end zone from 3 yards out to finalize the score at 48-24.

Duluth Denfeld finishes their season with an 0-9 record. Princeton will advance to the semi-finals where they will meet the Hermantown Hawks.

Tyler Peterson can be contacted at tpeterson@northlandsportsonline.com