Red Hawks can’t keep pace with Buffaloes

Points were relatively easy to come by for the Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau football team in their debut under new head coach Luke Oliver. Unfortunately for the Red Hawks, that proved doubly true for Mondovi in their opening week clash.

The Buffaloes (1-0) broke things open in the second quarter on their way to a 62-31 non-conference victory over G-E-T (0-1) last Friday in Mondovi. It was a stark challenge for the Red Hawks to open the Luke Oliver era, as the Buffaloes are a model of consistency who have made the playoffs in 17 of the last 19 years and were the Division 6 state runner-up in 2022.

Leading 13-8 after one quarter, Mondovi raced ahead with three touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 34-8 lead into the halftime break. The Buffaloes proceeded to outscore G-E-T 28-23 in a more competitive second half that came with the outcome already seemingly well in hand.

The new-look Red Hawk offense flashed plenty of potential with effectiveness through the air, as junior quarterback Sawyer Foust completed 17 of 30 passes for 306 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Four different G-E-T players compiled at least 50 receiving yards: junior Andrew Lebakken hauled in five catches for 112 yards and a touchdown, junior Isaiah Carroll had five receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown, senior Daniel Herman added four catches for 51 yards and junior Luke Herman reeled in three receptions for 50 yards.

Carroll also had 81 rushing yards and a touchdown on two carries. Junior Andrew Bishop and Wyatt Nichols each added touchdowns on the ground.

Defensively for the Red Hawks, Luke Herman registered a team-high 10 total tackles — including a sack. Senior Adain Busch tallied eight solo tackles and both Andrew Bishop and freshman Brady Hansen added 6.5 total tackles each.

Mondovi’s well-balanced rushing attack proved to be a headache for G-E-T throughout the night, as the Buffaloes racked up 454 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 9.7 yards per carry. Junior Blake Williamson led the way with 135 yards and a touchdown, sophomore Bode Falkner added 111 yards and a TD and senior Carter Heike had a hat trick of touchdowns.

Falkner also completed 15 of 21 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns while sophomore Beau Spindler made six catches for 127 yards and a TD. 

The Red Hawks are set to host their home opener when they welcome in Baldwin-Woodville (1-0) this Friday at 7 p.m. in Galesville.

G-E-T

Rushes (att./yds) — Carroll 2/81, Nichols 7/15, Bishop 7/7, Chandler 1/1

Receiving (rec./yds) — Lebakken 5/112, Carroll 5/93, D. Herman 4/51, L. Herman 3/50

Passing (comp./att./yds) — Foust 17/30/306

Tackles — L. Herman 10, Busch 8, Bishop 6.5, Eiken 6.5, Hansen 6.5, D. Herman 5, Gamez 5, Nichols 4.5, Lebakken 4, DeYoung 2, Hovell 2, Haney 1.5, Oines 1