Vikings Win in Dramatic Overtime Showdown against Dubuque Wahlert

Quality journalism needs your support to thrive. Donate and keep the facts flowing. DUBUQUE, Iowa — Coach Mike Tangen had predicted that Dubuque Wahlert would be a good test for his team, and his prediction proved correct. The Vikings and Golden Eagles engaged in what can only be described as a defensive slug fest, as the teams were tied 13-13 at the end of regulation. "That was a well-played high school football game by both teams. I am proud of [...] the resilience that we showed on Friday." While the Vikings controlled the game on the ground, amassing 188 rushing yards on 44 attempts, the Golden Eagles opened up their offense and threw for 239 yards, while only rushing for 59 yards on 19 attempts. Each team scored once in the first half, with Wahlert taking an early lead. The third quarter was scoreless, but each team scored once in the fourth. While Dubuque tried a late-game surge to score at the end of regulation, Decorah trounced their efforts, thus the teams went in to overtime. Overtime in high school looks like this: each team gets four downs from the ten-yard line. In other words, the first to score doesn't always mean victory, but scoring first does put pressure on the other team. The Vikings started with the ball, but they didn't have possession for long. In fact, it only took one play—a swing pass to senior running back Trevor Kuennen—for the Vikes to score. Kuennen came out of the backfield and only had one person to beat. The Wahlert linebacker slid off Kuennen's legs and onto the ground, and Kuennen scooted in for the score. Vikings had the momentum, but not for long. A blocked point after touchdown (PAT) gave the Golden Eagles a much-needed boost going into their own set of four downs. The Golden Eagles would need to score, and a made PAT would be enough to secure the win. On their first play in OT, Dubuque earned a yard or so. On their second play, the quarterback rolled to his left and threw a screen pass back to the right. The play was set up well, but a holding call moved the ball back ten yards. The result was 2nd and 19, and it was a safe bet: Dubuque was going to pass the ball. On the very next play, a Decorah linebacker stepped into the passing lane and picked the ball off, which ended overtime with a Vikings dramatic 19-13 victory over a tough congress of Golden Eagles. "Either one of us could have won that game," said Coach Tangen. "Both teams played extremely physical and disciplined. Beating a team like that is hard and our players and coaches did an outstanding job of working together to keep taking one play at a time." For the evening, Decorah's defense was led by seniors Will Larson and Kuennen, who each tallied six solo tackles. One of Larson's was a tackle for a loss. This week is Homecoming week, and the Vikings host a tough Western Dubuque Bobcats squad. Earlier this year, Western Dubuque also had a defensive battle with Wahlert, with the Golden Eagles edging out the Bobcats 10-6. On this week's Homecoming game, Coach Tangen said, "We are excited and will need to be ready for another tough game. Western Dubuque's schedule has been really tough and they are a very good team. [It will be] Another great challenge and a playoff [type of] environment on Friday night." The game this week, in Decorah, is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. More information and statistics from the Vikings-Wahlert game can be found here. Unlock a world of knowledge! Sign up for free DecorahNews.com newsletters and receive local news, local events and everything that is happening in and around Decorah.