Langdon, ND (NewsDakota.com) – The Oakes Tornadoes traveled up to Langdon for a rematch of last years opening round playoff game as they took on for the 7th time Langdon Area-Munich. It would end up being the Jax Johnson show as the Cardinal quarterback would dominate the Tornado defense to get the 34-6 win.
The game started out with an opening kick return all the way to near the Oakes 35 by Eastyn Schaefer and 3 quick plays later Johnson would be running it in from the 1 yard line to make it 7-0 under a minute into the game. Oakes would try to respond but Beau Thorpe would be intercepted by Johnson on the 2nd play of the Tornadoes’ opening drive. Johnson would then run it in from 7 yards out with 5:50 left to go in the 1st quarter making it 14-0. Oakes would then put together a promising drive marching down the field with several explosive runs from Braysen Sagert and a few passes from Thrope. However as Oakes would get within touching distance of the red zone Thorpe would once again be picked off this time by Dawson Downs with 2:06 left to go. Oakes would get the ball back however as Theo Romfo would fumble it less than half a minute later with Jacob Ptacek landing on the loose ball. Oakes would then be forced on a 3 and out to essentially end the quarter.
The opening play of the 2nd quarter saw Reese Nitschke get in on the turnover game as he’d pick off Johnson on the opening drive of the quarter. Oakes’ offense however would once again be forced to punt. The Cardinals would put together a long drive with the Tornadoes unable to stop them several times on 3rd down before Johnson would hit Tanner McDonald for a 40 yard touchdown pass with 5:17 left in the half making it 21-0. Oakes would once again see their drive stall out and give Johnson the ball back. He would make them pay as this time he’d run the ball in from 34 yards out with 1:53 left on the clock to make it 28-0 going into the half.
Oakes would start with the ball in the 2nd half but their drive would again stall out. Langdon would see Johnson one last time march down the field and throw a 7 yard touchdown pass to Schaefer making it 34-0 with 8:12 left in the half. Neither team would find success after that with stalled drives going deep into the 4th quarter when Oakes would march down the field and Thorpe would find Zade Heier in the endzone on a 30 yard pass to make sure Oakes would not be shut out making the final score 34-6.
The Bank North Player of the Game was Reese Nitschke.
Next up for the Tornadoes is a bye week before their home opener on September 5th when they play host to Hillsboro-Central Valley. Make sure to tune in at 6:00 on KDDR the Tornado on Fridays to catch the Full 9 Yard’s to hear what’s happening around the state in Football action. Pregame will begin immediately following.