Ramblers Survive Bulldogs and Advance in 1AAA Playoffs

(KWMN)- The Cotter Ramblers held off a late rally from the Bulldogs to advance to the 1AAA semifinals.

The Ramblers started hot, forcing a quick 3-and-out and a punt from PEM. Cotter turned it into 6 points almost immediately, following a 48-yard touchdown run from Wesley Troke on just the second play from scrimmage. The Ramblers failed to convert a 2-point conversion however and took a 6-0 lead. The next drive from the Bulldogs started well but stalled at the 31-yard line of the Ramblers. It took Cotter 9 plays to score again, this time behind a 15-yard rush from Rawson Sullivan for his first of the game. The Ramblers took over at their own 48 after forcing another turnover on downs, before Wesley Troke went for 52-yards on the second play of the drive again, taking a 20-0 lead. Cotter wouldn’t be able to keep Plainview-Elgin-Millville off the board forever, conceding a touchdown, and they took a 20-7 lead into the half.

The Ramblers came out of the gate swinging, driving 64 yards, capped off by Wesley Troke securing his 3rd touchdown of the day from 7-yards deep. The Ramblers scored again on their very next drive, this time with Isaiah Tews joining in the fun, rushing for 60 yards on just 2 carries and a touchdown. Cotter would then go on the defensive, as the Bulldogs scored twice in the final 7 minutes, including a 69-yard pick 6. But a stout defense secured another turnover on downs on back-to-back pass breakups, to secure the win and the playoff victory.

The Ramblers will face the 2-seed Zumbrota-Mazeppa on Saturday, October 31st at 1:00PM.