MITCHELL, S.D. — The Mitchell Kernels used a punishing ground game to score two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter to beat the Sturgis Scoopers 36-22 in the seventh annual Kernel Bowl.
The Scoopers scored first with :55 left in the first quarter on a 39-yard run by running back Gunnar Rohloff. The extra point kick was no good and Sturgis led 6-0 after one quarter.
Mitchell put together a nine play, 67-yard drive midway through this second quarter, culminating in a six yard touchdown pass from halfback Mick Dailey to Tyson Sabers. The extra point kick was good and the Kernels led 7-6 with 5:08 left before half.
Mitchell struck again with just over two minutes left before half on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Treyson Schulz to Dailey. The extra point kick was good and the Kernels extended their lead to 14-6.
The Scoopers took over in good field position on their next series near midfield. Quarterback Owen Cass punched the ball into the end zone from 17-yards out, then ran in the two point conversion to tie the game at 14 at the half.
Mitchell changed strategies on their first drive of the second half, using a ground and pound philosophy to drive the ball 62-yards downfield, before Dailey scampered 16-yards into the end zone to give Mitchell a 21-14 lead. The drive used up more than nine minutes.
Sturgis answered a minute and a half later with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Cass to Tyan Buus to cut into the Kernel lead. The Scoopers converted the two point attempt to take a 22-21 lead. That was the last time the Scoopers would find the end zone.
Mitchell added a seven yard touchdown run by Jaggar Tyler and a 20-yard scoring pass from Dailey to AJ Siemsen to put the game out of reach late in the fourth.
Sturgis (1-1) finished the game with 304 total yards of offense, 173 yards passing and 131 yards rushing. The Scoopers had two fumbles and six penalties for 60 yards.
Mitchell (1-1) had 374 yards of total offense, 224 yards on the ground and 150 through the air. The Kernels did not turn the ball over and had nine penalties for 100 yards.
The Scoopers are in action next at their home opener at Woodle Field on Saturday, Sept. 10 as they host Aberdeen Central. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm.
