Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN
ADAMS — The Southland Rebels stayed perfect on the season with a 41-28 win over Chatfield on Friday night.
It was another big rushing night for the Southland offense with more than 300 yards on the ground. The Rebels have now started 5-0 for the second straight year.
Winston Smith led the way for Southland with 152 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Jake Chapek had another productive game with 132 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Southland quarterback Kody Retterath threw for 64 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown pass to Brian Voigt.
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Smith and Chapek both had touchdown runs in the first quarter as the Rebels jumped out to a 14-0 lead.
Bryan Neis then caught a 14-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to put the Chatfield Gophers on the scoreboard. The two teams would trade scores the rest of the way in this Three Rivers Conference, South Division game.
Smith and Chapek both scored touchdowns in the second quarter to give the Rebels a 28-7 lead, but the Gophers got a late touchdown in the final seconds of the first half.
The Rebels had a couple of fumbles and an interception in this game, which allowed the Gophers to hang around in the second half.
"It doesn’t get any easier, you just keep playing teams that are so competitive, and you can’t commit turnovers," Southland coach Shawn Kennedy said.
"The kids were glad we won, but disappointed with all of the mistakes. Chatfield has a lot of speed and a young team, so they’ll be very good next season."
Holding a 35-21 lead in the fourth quarter, the Rebels marched down the field for their final touchdown. Chapek capped it off with a four-yard run.
Josh LaPlante, the Gophers fullback, then had a 57-yard touchdown run for the final score of the night.
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"We had a couple of pass interference calls that put them in scoring situations," Kennedy said. "We also had some missed tackles, and didn’t make the plays on their long runs. Overall, anytime you can get a win, it’s great, but the kids aren’t satisfied and they want to do better.
"We’re so balanced offensively that a defense can’t just key Jake. They did that and we rode Winston. It was a solid team effort."
Southland (2-0 TRC South) plays host to Kingsland next Friday for homecoming.
SOUTHLAND 41, CHATFIELD 28
SCORING BY QUARTERS
Chatfield 0 14 7 7 — 28
Southland 14 14 7 6 — 41
FIRST QUARTER
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SOU — Winston Smith 30 run (Derek Emanuel kick), 9:48.
SOU — Jake Chapek 5 run (Emanuel kick), 5:24.
SECOND QUARTER
CHA — Bryan Neis 14 pass from Brandon Guderian (Mitch Obey kick), 11:08.
SOU — Smith 10 run (kick missed), 3:14.
SOU — Chapek 29 run (Tyler Hanson pass from Kody Retterath), 2:29.
CHA — Halfback pass (Obey kick), :20.
THIRD QUARTER
SOU — Brian Voigt 24 pass from Kody Retterath (Emanuel kick), 5:00.
CHA — Adam Amundson 5 run (Obey kick), 3:37.
FOURTH QUARTER
SOU — Chapek 4 run (kick missed), 8:19.
CHA — Josh LaPlante 57 run (Obey kick), 7:25.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Southland — Winston Smith 14-152, Jake Chapek 23-132, Brian Voigt 3-21, Andrew Churchill 1-5, Kody Retterath 4-(minus 1).
Passing
Southland — Kody Retterath 4-for-10, 64 yards, TD, int..
