THOMPSON, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Oakes scored on its first possession, but the rest of the game belonged to Thompson.The top ranked Thommies scored 38 unanswered points on the way to a 38-7 win over the Tornadoes in the State 9 Man Semi Final Saturday afternoon in Thompson.
After forcing Thompson to a three and out on its first possession. Oakes would drive 55 yards on eight plays with Garrett Meehl finding Coy Awender in the front of the end zone for a four yard touchdown. Meehl made his 43rd extra point in 47 tries to give the Tornadoes a 7-0 lead with 6:12 to go in the first quarter.
Thompson would take the ensuing drive 77 yards with Cadyn Schwabe hitting Chance Danner for a seven yard touchdown. After the two point conversion, Thompson led 8-7. But the game changed on Thompson’s next possession.
Schwabe found Marcus Hughes over the middle for what appears to be a short completion. But Hughes broke a couple of tackles then raced 78 yards for the score. The conversion was no good and with 9:37 to go in the first half, Thompson led 14-7. But on the play, Oakes starting quarterback and defensive back Garrett Meehl was injured, he would not come back in the game. Coy Awender would take over the offense for the rest of the game for Oakes.
The Thommies would score 2:16 later on a seven yard run by Schawbe, the first of three touchdowns for the senior quarterback. Hayden Overby scored the two-point conversion to make it 22-7 with 7:21 to go in the second quarter.
Oakes would move the ball to the Thompson 16 yard line, but ended up turning the ball over on downs. On the ensuing drive for Thompson, Schwabe had runs on 39 and 37 sandwiched around a sack. He would then score on a three yard run with two seconds remaining in the half. Nick Reck would add the two-point conversion to make it 30-7 at the half.
The only two scores in the second half came on a safety when Joshua Sem sacked Coy Awender in the end zone and Schwabe added a 33 yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Schwabe ended the game with 221 yards on 16 carries and hit on 11 of 16 passes. Marcus Hughes had 105 yards on six catches.
Logan Sell led Oakes with 82 yards on 21 carries. Awender was nine of 26 for 71 yards and an interception. Meehle was 3 for 5 for 34 yards and a score.
Oakes ends the season 10-2 after reaching the semifinals for the first time in 35 years. Thompson improves to 11-0 and will face New Salem-Glen Ullin in the Dakota Bowl next Friday at the Fargodome. New Salem-Glen Ullin came back and beat Ray/Powers Lake 18-7 in the other semifinal.