Kickoff return sparks Montevideo to 38-7 win over Braves in opener

by John Fragodt
The Benson football team stayed close with Montevideo for almost three quarters, but after pulling to within 18-7 on its first and only touchdown of the game with 4:42 left in the third quarter, Montevideo came right back with a 76-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, which seemed to take the wind out of the BHS players’ sails.
Montevideo would go on to score two more touchdowns to win the opener, 38-7.  The Thunderhawks outgained the Braves, 361-34 in total yards and 18-5 in first downs.
Montevideo junior Preston Herfurth had a monster game, scoring on a 17-yard interception return to open up the scoring in the second half, adding another touchdown on the 76-yard kickoff return, and intercepting three passes on the night.
The win by Montevideo gave the Thunderhawks a 7-6 edge in the 13th installment of the Lil’ Gold Jug Game.
Benson’s offense ran off just 37 total plays compared to 66 for the Thunderhawks, who won despite missing their starting quarterback, who was injured during the preseason.
 
Photo: Layton Connelly can’t quite elude the grasp of a Montevideo defender while running a sweep to the right during Benson’s loss to the Thunderhawks, Friday night.  Also shown for Benson are Everett Lee (78) and RJ Hogrefe (75).