Wagner Red Raiders football team traveled to Lake Andes Friday night. The Raiders came away with a great win 14-7. The run game was working, the pass game was there when we needed it. The biggest improvement was the players focus. Foolish penalties were almost eliminated from this game, which kept the Raiders ahead of the sticks most of the game. Going on two, for the snap count, worked this week, gaining two first downs by not even running a play. That’s players focusing on doing THEIR job and doing it well.

On the offensive side of the ball, Wagner tallied 211 yards of total offense. Chris Nelson went 8-10 with 125 yards through the air. Glenn Cournoyer hauled in 4 receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. Riley Roberts and Daniel Soukup each had 2 receptions on the night. On the ground Wagner rushed for 110 positive yards. The offensive line has been improving weekly creating run lanes more consistently. The backs are really being patient in finding the run lanes then bursting through. Jhett Breen ran the ball 23 times for 77 yards and a touchdown and 2 pt. conversion. Gannon Knebel had 8 rushes for 33 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, there were many positives. It's fun as a coach to see the defensive line playing physical and with confidence. The defensive ends squeezing the down block and spilling the puller, that was happening consistently. Tim Bouza taking on and splitting double teams, that was happening consistently. Playing their gap tight from inside out on the opponent’s side of the ball, running the heel line, those were happening consistently also. We had 15 different Raiders that made tackles Friday night. Another positive was the first 5 on the list of tacklers were defensive linemen and linebackers, Kahle Hill (8), Hunter Lhotak (6), Braxton Knudsen (5), Parker Petry (5) and Bain Kuhlman (4.5).

Wagner will host Sisseton Friday night on the turf. Wagner Football Boosters will be holding fund raising events at half-time… Come show off your football skills….

You can only win WHEN you enter!!!