BECKER, MN — The opening game of the season on September 3 proved to be a dramatic affair as the Becker Bulldogs faced off against the Orono Spartans. Entering the fourth quarter with a narrow lead, Becker seemed poised for victory, holding a nine-point advantage with just over seven minutes remaining. However, the Spartans had other plans, rallying in the final moments to secure a 35-28 victory.
Becker began the game strong, taking a 14-0 lead into halftime. The Bulldogs capitalized on two crucial interceptions and showcased their offensive prowess with a 40-yard touchdown reception from senior RJ Houle. This solid start gave Becker a sense of control, but the reigning Class 4A champions, Orono, were determined to fight back.
As the second half unfolded, Orono adjusted their strategy. Coach Joe McPherson noted that his team made key adjustments to their defensive front, which had struggled in the first half. “We were doing okay in the first half. We just were giving up the big play and getting our eyes wrong, so we got our eyes right in the second half,” McPherson explained. This change allowed the Spartans to score two unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter, with Becker's senior quarterback Tristan Kowalkowski contributing to the action with another interception.
The fourth quarter saw a complete turnaround as Becker's mistakes began to pile up. A fumble on a kick return allowed Orono to capitalize quickly, scoring their second touchdown in just over a minute and taking their first lead of the game. Despite Kowalkowski connecting with Houle for a significant 59-yard gain to set up a game-tying score from senior receiver Tarver Schendzielos, Orono responded with a swift drive that culminated in a go-ahead touchdown with only 34 seconds left on the clock, courtesy of Hudson Hirt.
Ultimately, Becker's inability to maintain their lead was attributed to a series of errors. Coach Dwight Lundeen, who is in his final season after an impressive 57-year coaching career, expressed pride in his team's effort but acknowledged the mistakes that cost them the game. “They played hard, but we just did enough things to cause us not to win. We snapped the ball over our head, we fumbled the ball on the three-yard line, and we missed some assignments defensively that gave them some big runs. Those are all things we can fix,” Lundeen said.
The Bulldogs will look to bounce back as they prepare for their next game against Hutchinson on September 11. This opening match not only marked a tough start for Becker but also set the stage for what promises to be an exciting season filled with challenges and opportunities for growth.
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