SHERBURNE – Dawson Lagoe caught a pass from quarterback Gabe Irwin and landed inside the 10 yard line as ran his way to the game winning touchdown and a playoff berth for Sherburne-Earlville.

In a match up where both Sherburne-Earlville and Little Falls were 4-2 before the contest, it was ‘win and in.’ Of course either team still had a shot at the playoff picture, but there were many stipulations for the losing team. Head Coach Ed Holmquist before the game, he hoped that his team would have the easy route to the playoffs and just win.

The Marauders win wasn’t the easiest to achieve but they did secure the easy way of getting into the playoffs.

A few drives into the game, Little Falls QB Parker Tooley threw a pass to his receiver but it was intercepted by the Marauders defense, setting them up for great field postion.

On the ensuing drive, S-E found a way to get down to the four yard line, but the Little Falls Mounties’ defense stopped them on fourth down, causing the turnover on downs.

The Mounties’ tried to punch their way out of the deep territory with a few rushes on the first plays of their possession. But one of the handoffs, the ball was fumbled and Jessey Lynch picked up the ball and dove across the endline to give the home team the lead early. Allan Donnelly came on and added the extra point as it went through the uprights.

The Marauders defensive touchdown was the only score of the first quarter and the first half.

Sherburne-Earlville kicked off to the start the second half by an onsides kick as they tried to catch the Mounties off guard. But it didn’t work as Anthony Traficante took the bouncing kickoff and ran it back 45 yards for the touchdown, making the score 7-6. Little Falls attempted the two point conversion but was unsuccessful in their try, keeping the score at 7-6 in favor of the Marauders.

The game turned into a defensive battle as both teams punted after a three-and-out or turnover on downs after going for it on a fourth down attempt.

That was until a third and long, when Irwin found an open Lagoe down the far sideline, who caught the ball and ran it in for 36 yards and the go-head score. S-E attempted the two point conversion, which would have made the Mounties need a score and a field goal, but Little Falls broke up Irwin’s pass. The scoreboard showed 13-6 with 2:58 to go in the game.