Wildcats Win the MCAC in Comeback Fashion

The NDSCS Wildcats took on Mesabi-Range in St. Cloud, MN for the MCAC Championship game.  

The game's opening play saw Michael Douglas Jr take a run 69 yards to score the put the Wildcats up right away.  The Norse responded on their first possession by taking a 10 play drive covering 69 yards knotting the game up at 7-7.  The Norse then were able to force a fumble and returned it 50 yards to put Mesabi up 7-14.  Later in the second quarter, the Norse were in the endzone again off a run and capped it by getting a 2 point conversion after a botched snap to go up 7-22.  Sam Burkel was able to put a field goal in for the 'Cats to end the scoring in the first half with Mesabi-Range up 10-22.

The second half saw Mesabi have a big play with a 57 yard touchdown pass to go up 10-29.  NDSCS had a big hole to climb out of, and the rest of the half they did just that.  On the next possession, both teams had some flags called on them slowing down the drive, but Ishmael Emmanuel-Holloway was able to make a big play and find his way into the endzone to bring it to a two score game.  The Wildcats defense stepped up and forced a three and out on the next possession.  The next possession saw the 'Cats with a 4th and 7 on the Mesabi 39 yard line where Emmanuel-Holloway found Trevion Carothers for 39 yards to get the score to 24-29.  Wildcats defense then forces another three and out forcing Mesabi to give the ball right back.  NDSCS weren't able to do anything on their next possession, but the defense for back-to-back-to-back possessions forced another three and out.  On another 4th down, Emmanuel-Holloway took the ball 36 yards for another score with an added extra point to put the Wildcats up 30-29 capping off a 20-0 run.  On the next possession, Mesabi was able to move the ball before they found themselves in another 4th down situation.  On 4th and 14, Jereal Lewis came down with a huge interception to get the ball back to Science.  NDSCS was able to run the clock out from there and come away with the 30-29 victory securing the MCAC and Region XIII Championship.  

Head Coach Eric Issendorf was named Region XIII Coach of the Year