Section 8A Bagley at Polk County West

Recap

Section 8A Bagley at Polk County West

Mike Gapp ran for three touchdowns and passed for another, while the Polk County West defense forced four takeaways as the Thunder rolled past Bagley 43-14 Tuesday in the opening round of the Minnesota Section 8A football playoffs.

Gapp, playing his first full game as a “wildcat” quarterback, rushed 24 times for 118 yards for three touchdowns plus four extra points.  The senior also completed seven of 14 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown.

Polk County West scored on the game’s third play from scrimmage as Jacob Satterlund recovered a Bagley fumble and returned it eight yards for a touchdown.  Gapp’s two point conversion gave the Thunder a 8-0 lead 1:25 into the game.

Bagley came back to score on their next possession with Noah Nelson scoring on a one yard run. Nelson had a 59 yard run in that drive.  The missed PAT made the score 8-6.

PCW then drove 67 yards in 14 plays with Gapp scoring on a 15 yard run.  The try for point failed, with the Thunder leading 14-6 after one quarter.

Early in the second quarter, the Flyers tied the game on a 29 yard pass from Zach Thompson to Logan Broten.  Thompson passed to Ethan Rude for a two point conversion to tie the game at 14.\

Polk County West then drove 69 yards in nine plays for the go-ahead score….as Gapp connected with John Speicher on a 39 yard touchdown.  Gapp’s two point run made it 22-14 Thunder with 4:22 to go in the half.

The biggest play of the game came late in the second quarter.  Bagley’s Broten had burst down the left sideline on a run of over 40 yards when he fumbled and the Thunder recovered at their own seven yard line.

In the third quarter, Gapp scored on an 18 yard quarterback draw, putting Polk County West in front 28-14. And in the fourth quarter, Gapp scored his third touchdown of the day on a one yard run, capping off a 12 play, 47 yard drive that took 7:01 off the clock.  Ethan Evitts kicked the PAT to make it 35-14.

Then late in the game, sophomore Keane Melsa scored a nine yard touchdown and the two point conversion to make the final score 43-14.

Polk County West (5-5) now travels to Mahnomen/Waubun Saturday in the 8A semifinals.  Bagley’s season ends with a 2-7 record.

comments from PCW coach Darrin Byklum