Imperials Struggle In Quarterfinals
After an upset win in the first round of 9-man playoff football last week, the Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter Imperials took to the road once again this past Saturday as they traveled to Hankinson to take on the state’s 5th rated team in quarterfinal action. Imperial first year head coach Jamison Fettig was minus a couple players who were injured during the playoff game in Arnegard last week, so younger, less experienced players were called upon to fill in. The overall result was a commanding 8-52 win for the Pirates, with Hankinson advancing as the NGS season came to a close at 8-3.
The first quarter set the tone in Hankinson as the Pirates scored on their first two possessions. The first TD came on the second play from scrimmage as quarterback RaeShaun Earl broke free for a 65-yard TD and their second score came after a 10-play drive, which was sealed when Cannon Falk crossed over from 4-yards out. The Imperial defense denied both an attempted rushing PAT and a PAT through the air as Hankinson led 0-12, not quite at the midway mark of the first quarter. The Imperial second possession closed when they turned the ball over on downs near midfield with 4:50 to play in the first as the Hankinson defense was swarming. Six plays and roughly 2 minutes later Hankinson found pay dirt for the third time of the quarter, as Earl connected with Tyson Falk for a 12-yard TD. The attempted PAT through the air came up short as Hankinson held a 0-18 lead with 2:39 to go in the first. On the Imperials next possession, which started on their own 40-yard line, 8 plays later and with 6 ticks left on the clock, junior quarterback Bryce Schneider carried from 4-yards out to give the Imperials their only. . .