Winona Defends Late Drive and Gets Back to .500

(KWMN)- The Winona Winhawks (3-3) stopped the South St. Paul Packers (4-2) to get back into the win column.

Neither side scored for the entire first quarter, with South St. Paul the last 3 miutes and first 2 minutes of the second quarter to get on the board. After falling behind 0-8, the Winhawks answered back with 9-play touchdown scoring drive of their own. Keller found Easton Nissalke for a 15-yard pickup, before ending the drive with a 6-yard touchdown; Keller faked the handoff to Michael Burke, before throwing a screen to Brayden Styba to walked it in from the 6 yard line for the score. Winona still strailed by one point however, settling for the PAT.

The Packers would need just three plays to score on their next possession, capped off by a 60-yard touchdown run by Tyler Berchtold. The Winhawks, not to be outdone, scored in just three plays on their next drive, with a 54-yard touchdown pass from Keller to Preston Van Beek to keep the game close at 14-16. The Winhawks forced a quick 3-and-out and then fought off the fake punt to take possession on the Packers 33 yard-line, but failed to get any forward progress, taking too many penalties and being forced to punt. The Winhawks stuffed the Packers offense and forced a second punt in the final minute of the first half, which landed at the Packers’ 31 yard-line. After two incompletions, Kyle Keller decided to take it himself, for a 31-yard rushing TD.

Michael Burke got things started right away in the second half, with a 27-yard touchdown run for his first of the game. The Winhawks wouldn’t see the ball again until the last minute of the 3rd quarter, as the Packers capped off an 8-minute, 18 play, 88-yard drive with a rushing touchdown to draw to within 4. With a chance to increase the lead, Keller threw his first and only INT of the game, which put the Pakcers on their own third yard line. The Packers drove down the field for 11 straight minutes, stopping at the 23-yard line. The Ramblers stood tall and forced a 4th down and 7. South St. Paul fumbled on the ensuing snap, and turned the ball over on downs, allowing Winona to pick up their third win of the season.

The Winhawks will welcome Kasson-Mantorville to Paul Giel Field next Friday, kick off at 7pm.