Titans' magic comes to close

They were having so much fun on the football field, it was a shame to see it all end.

The Griggs/Midkota Titans' resurgent 2024 football season witnessed them improve dramatically from just one victory the season before to six this fall.

With Wyndmere/Lidgerwood coming to town for the first playoff game in 18 years, the atmosphere was festive in Cooperstown Saturday, Oct. 26.

Even though the Warbirds ended the Titans' campaign with a 44-24 loss, one can't help but feel that the G/M program has begun to turn the corner.

"It's hard to know what to say after a long season," said Head Coach Ryan Dockter. "These guys played their hearts out, but came up a little bit short."

W/L, the number two seed in Region 1, made it a priority to stop the Titan running game, and for the most part, they did that.

"Our offense had to shift a bit, as they really sold out to take away the run," Dockter said.

Even with that change of plans, the Titans' Brady Haugen had some air success, as the senior quarterback went 8-for-16 for 197 yards and three touchdowns.

The teams would trade scores in the first half, with two long scoring plays from Haugen to Cole Vincent covering 35 and 80 yards offset by three running touchdowns by Warbird quarterback Hunter Dunn, and the Titans were within reach at 22-16 going to the break.

"Defensively, we struggled to stop them in the first half," said Dockter. "We'd have them at third [down] and manageable, and then [W/L coach Scott] Strenge pulled out a few of his tricks that they capitalized on, and kept moving the chains."

The Warbirds delivered a fatal blow to the Titans' hopes in the fourth quarter, courtesy of a 46-yard strike from Dunn to Peyton Theis, and yet another touchdown from Dunn for nine yards to make it a 36-16 game.

Levi Kautzman hauled in a 57-yard touchdown from Haugen in the fourth, but Dunn made it an even five touchdowns on the day with a four-yard scamper to conclude the scoring.

Haugen was the leading ground-gainer for Griggs/Midkota, rushing 12 times for 72 yards. Kautzman had nine total tackles on defense with a sack, and his brother, Rori Kautzman, had six tackles and a sack as well. Max Ludwig added eight stops.

"Our defense played well in the third quarter, but we also struggled to move the ball," said Dockter. "The fourth was really rough, as we had a few turnovers and just didn't really bounce back from them."

In the end, Dockter said he and his coaches were proud of the team's growth this season.

"We know we didn't get the result we wanted, but to hear the words shared at the end of the day between our Titan family takes away some of the sting," he said. "At the beginning, some people didn't believe in us, but as coaches, we knew what we were capable of."

Season highlights Dockter pointed out included a 30-6 win over the largest 9-man school enrollment-wise in May-Port-CG, and keeping Region 2 offensive player of the year Tee Sylling of Maple River scoreless in their victory earlier this year.

"This was a special team, led by some special players," Dockter concluded. "Our seniors will be missed, but we're excited to get back and start working for next year, as we bring back a lot of talent."

9-Man Playoffs - Second Round

Wyndmere/Lidgerwood 44,

Griggs/Midkota 24

W/L 8 14 0 22 44

G/M 16 0 0 8 24

First Quarter

G/M: Cole Vincent 35 yard pass from Brady Haugen (Trace Spickler pass from Haugen)

W/L: Hunter Dunn 9 yard run (Dunn run)

G/M: Vincent 80 yard pass from Haugen (Kindle Carlson run)

Second Quarter

W/L: Dunn 2 yard run (run failed)

W/L: Dunn 4 yard run (Peyton Theis pass from Dunn)

Fourth Quarter

W/L: Theis 46 yard pass from Dunn (run failed)

W/L: Dunn 9 yard run (Dunn run)

G/M: Levi Kautzman 57 yard pass from Haugen (Carlson run)

W/L: Dunn 4 yard run (Owen Laddusaw pass from Dunn)

G/M Statistical Leaders

Offense

Passing: Haugen 8-16-197 yards-3 TD

Rushing: Haugen 12-72; Vincent 8-19; L. Kautzman 6-13; Carlson 4-10

Defense

Tackles (unassisted/assisted): L. Kautzman (8-1); Max Ludwig (6-2); Haugen (6-1); Rori Kautzman (5-1); Vincent (5-1); Lakin Ronningen (5-0); Isaac Stadler (4-2); Spickler (4-0); Wyatt Hoyt (2-0); Carlson (1-3)

Sacks: L. Kautzman, R. Kautzman 1

Forced Fumble: Vincent