The Worthington Trojans football team won its first game of the year Wednesday, as Abagotte Opiew had four rushing touchdowns in a 35-27 victory over New Ulm at Trojan Field.
Playing on Seniors Night and Meet the Trojans Night, Opiew – a senior himself – scored on runs of 51, six, five and 18 yards. Worthington opened up a 35-7 cushion early in the fourth quarter before New Ulm closed the gap near the end.
Opiew’s 51-yard TD made it 7-0, Trojans, with 3:56 left in the first quarter. New Ulm tied it with 9:18 to go before halftime on a 19-yard scoring run by its quarterback, Ayden Jensen. Opiew’s second TD made it 14-7 with 3:25 left in the half.
With less than six minutes left in the third quarter, the Trojans’ Tucker Brandner grabbed a high snap on a field goal attempt, then scrambled and found Ryan Lais for a first down that kept a drive alive and led to Opiew’s third touchdown. Then, in the first 30 seconds of the fourth quarter, Jacari Swinea broke free for an 82-yard scoring scamper and it was 28-7.
Opiew’s fourth TD made it 35-7. New Ulm would get three short rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter from Ty Frederick, but the Trojans were able to run out the clock with placekicker Tristan Sauerbrei taking snaps in victory formation.
Worthington will play a first-round postseason game next Tuesday against an opponent to be determined.
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The Minnesota West Lady Jays volleyball team defeated Ridgewater 3-0 Wednesday night at the Center for Health and Wellness. Scores were 25-20, 25-20, 25-20.
Kennedy Buckneberg had nine kills, 10 digs and two blocks and Kiarra Danielson seven kills, 10 digs, nine set assists and four ace serves for Minnesota West. Dannyn Peterson contributed six kills, 12 digs, two blocks and an ace serve. Sami Polzin chipped in with four kills, 18 digs and two ace serves. Courtney Moser had seven digs and 17 set assists.
The Lady Jays will host Western Technical College on Friday.
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In area high school football Wednesday, it was:
Red Rock Central 35, Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 8
Hills-Beaver Creek 38, Edgerton 28
Cedar Mountain 55, Westbrook-Walnut Grove 19
Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 37, Martin County West 0
Murray County Central 12, Adrian 6 (OT)
Fairmont 34, Blue Earth Area 20
Pipestone Area 62, Windom Area 28
Jackson County Central 28, St. Peter 7
Waseca 35, Luverne 0
Marshall 42, Belle Plaine 0
In Iowa high school volleyball Wednesday:
Bishop Garrigan 3, George-Little Rock 2
Boyden-Hull 3, Sibley-Ocheyedan 0
Central Lyon 3, Akron-Westfield 1
