Dogies fall to the Rams

Sonja Karp
NLJ Sports Editor
 
The Dogie football season has had the team facing one huge challenge after another, and Friday was no exception. Newcastle travelled to Big Horn to take on the Rams who enjoy a tradition of being a big, tough, winning program and though the Dogies suffered defeat in Sheridan County, head coach Matt Conzelman was very pleased with his squad’s defensive effort and liked a lot of what he saw on offense as well.
“The defense did a good job keeping them out of the end zone. Only letting them score three times is a positive with that team,” Conzelman insisted. “We played pretty well, but we were in the red zone five times and ended up without any points to show for it, so we have to get that cleaned up.” 
The Dogies received the ball to start the game and they marched it all the way down the field. They got down to the red zone, but ended up stalling out. Newcastle went for the field goal to try to get on the board, but the 30-plus-yard attempt went wide left. 

Despite the disappointment of their first promising possession, the Dogie defense went to work and stopped the Rams on their first drive. A great opportunity presented itself when Big Horn muffed the punt giving Newcastle possession on their 20-yard line. 
“We got all the way to the three when a penalty forced us back,” Conzelman said. “Unfortunately, Slade [Roberson] then threw a pick in the end zone so we ended up scoreless again.”
Big Horn got on the board about midway through the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead and then again at the beginning of the second to extend the gap to 13-0. However, Dogie D held them out for the rest of the first half to go into the locker room well within reach.
Defense came out and held strong throughout the third frame of play, keeping the Rams out of the end zone, however Big Horn was able to punch one more in late in the fourth to take the 20-0 win over the Dogies.
“It was another, ‘close but no cigar’ situation,” Conzelman sighed. “We had a couple of opportunities that looked like we could get a chance to get on the board, and that would just change the whole dynamic of the game, and I thought it was two pretty equally matched teams.” 
Indeed, looking at the end of game numbers, the two teams were very close on paper. Though the Rams ended up with a little over a 100 yards more than the Dogies on offense, other stats were very similar. Big Horn ended the night with 12 first downs, while the Dogies were close behind with 11. As far as turnovers go, the Rams forced five on Newcastle, while Conzelman’s crew edged them out with six on the night. 
Roberson, Quint Perino and Tanner Neilson each picked off an interception while Connor Stohlhammer, Jacob Prell and Hogan Tystad each recovered a fumble. 
“We just need to be able to take advantage of the turnovers we cause and get some confidence,” Conzelman nodded. “We had three or four goal line stands so the defense did a pretty good job. Also, 11 first downs is an improvement over past weeks so it’s really coming down to being able to finish, and we’ve gotta break the seal on the end zone.” 
This week is Homecoming where the Dogies will host Tongue River. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. The Homecoming Royalty will be announced prior to kickoff and then Hall of Fame recognition will take place at half time.