Staff
The number on Tanner Dola’s back (9) matched the amount of Muskies who planned to try and stop him.
The scenario did not end well for the black-and-gold.
Dola returned a punt 110 yards for a touchdown, with the subsequent convert by kicker Dylan Fathers the difference, in a 14-13 victory for the West Kildonan Wolverines in WHSFL action here Friday afternoon.
Just nine Muskies were on the field for the punt by Sean Huziak with under five minutes to go as Fort High tried to add to a 13-7 lead with at least a single.
Instead, Dola reeled in the kick at the goal line, then weaved his way through the undermanned Muskies and down the right sideline for the major.
The Muskies had their chances late to tie or retake the lead with two possessions in the final minutes.
But more special teams’ breakdowns led to Huziak getting his attempt for at least a punt single blocked by Joel Truthwaite and recovered by Hunter Hazel at the Wolverines’ 36-yard line.
The Muskie defence held but Huziak was flagged for roughing punter Nick Birch to keep the ball in West Kildonan’s hands.
Fort High then got the ball back at his own 19 with 22 seconds left but were unable to get into scoring position before time expired.
Muskie running back Sekina Scheibler had a huge day, carrying 28 times for 253 yards and a touchdown.
Quarterback Brady Meeks, meanwhile, had his best day as a starter, going 9-for-16 for 82 yards.
He also completed his first passing touchdown of the season on a 45-yard catch-and-run strike to Riley Argue on the last play of the first half to cut the Wolverines’ lead to 7-6.
Defensively, Damon Nyberg led the Muskies with 6.5 tackles while Carson Noga added a 21-yard sack.
Wolverines’ quarterback Devon Machum was just 2-for-12 for 55 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to Dola on the visitors’ first play of the game.
The Muskies held running back De’von Young to just 44 yards rushing on 16 carries.
He also fumbled twice in the second half, with recoveries made by Huziak and Noga.
The Muskies (1-2) next will host the Tec Voc Hornets (1-2) this Thursday at 4 p.m. in a battle between two teams tied for sixth in the Currie Division (‘A’).
It also will serve as the Muskies’ annual Homecoming game.
