MILNOR, N.D. (NewsDakota.c0m) – It was a brisk night in Milnor, but Oakes’ offense was red hot. Led by senior running back David Schmitz who had five total touchdowns and 200 rushing yards leading the Tornadoes to a 40-20 win over Sargent County in a win-or-go-home game.

With their junior starting quarterback Xavier Vossler sidelined with a knee injury suffered last week, they were led by a duo of sophomore quarterbacks Blayson Dolney and Trey Skoglund.

Oakes knew it was going to be their night almost immediately with a blocked punt by senior lineman Cody Harris which was returned by sophomore Mario Garza to the five-yard line where Schmitz got his first score of the day. The Oakes defense got a stop and Schmitz scored again on the second possession of the game. On the third drive of the game for the Bulldogs, Oakes’ Blayson Dolney got an interception to set up Schmitz’s third score. Sargent County got a last second 28-yard touchdown from their senior quarterback Avery McFarland to his senior wide receiver Logan Decker as time expired to make it 21-6 at the half.

The Tornadoes wasted no time out of the break and scored on a juggling circus catch from junior wide receiver Joey Heim from Dolney from 23 yards out to make it 27-6. Tragedy struck for Sargent County as McFarland left the game with an injury on the next possession which stalled at the 25-yard line. On the very next drive on the first play, Schmitz got his fourth touchdown with a 75-yard run to grow their lead to 34-6. Dolney would get another interception and Schmitz got his fifth touchdown with a 43-yard screen pass up the far sideline to put the game away.

Dolney was 2-2 with two touchdowns in the second half as the two sophomores did a spectacular job running the offense while their starting QB rested. The Tornadoes will face Langdon Area next Saturday after locking the #3 seed in Region 1.

The time of kickoff is yet to be determined.