Esko Falls in Quarterfinals

George Bailey – NSO

Photos by: Jeff Lindstrom

Trey Austvold ran for 157 yards and scored three touchdowns and Shane Zylstra gashed the Eskomos’ defense for 161 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 17 carries, as the Wildcats knocked the Esko Eskomos form the state football tournament with a 52-27 victory in St. Cloud Saturday afternoon.

The Wildcats amassed 626 total yards, including 446 on the ground, to eclipse Esko by 25 points in a Class AAA quarterfinals game Saturday at St. Cloud State’s Husky Stadium.

The Eskomos who found themselves trailing early 14-0 saw Jaxon Turner break free and score on a 69 yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 14-7. Zylstra then scored the next two touchdowns for the Wildcats before Jack Kuhlman scored on a 32 yard touchdown pass from Nick Emanuel to make it 32-13 at halftime.

With a 32-13 lead at the break it was the Wildcats extending their lead this time 40-13 before Aaron Olson caught Emanuel’s second touchdown of the game to make it 40-20 at the end of three quarters of play.

The Wildcats would seal the win with two more fourth quarter touchdowns Saturday afternoon, Turner scored his second touchdown of the game on a pass from Emanuel to cut the lead but in the end the Wildcats ball control offense was to much for the Eskomos.

Emanuel finished with 198 yards passing for the day, and Turner led the Eskomos with 98 yards rushing and he also finished with 82 yards receiving.

Quarterback Ethan Bohlsen hit 12 of 19 passes for 162 yards and TD throws to King and James Magnuson, and Jackson Ness closed the scoring with a six-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.

Esko finishes the season with an overall record of 8-3 and Northland Sports Online would like to congratulate Coach Hudspith and his staff and team on a fine season.

George Bailey can be reached at george@northlandsportsonline.com