In an evenly-played contest, the #2-seeded Becker Bulldog football team prevailed last Friday with a fourth quarter TD to topple #3-seeded Princeton in the first round of the Class 4A, Section 8 - semifinal at Dwight Lundeen Stadium.

The defeat continued a trend for the Tigers in their meetings with the Bulldogs as they’ve now lost eight in a row. Princeton’s loss dropped their record down to 3-7 and ended their season. As for Becker, they now have a winning record of 5-4 and will continue on in their quest for a state title.

Friday’s game saw both team’s defenses dominate and caused a scoreless tie after  the first quarter. In the second, QB Tristan Kowalkowski scored on a 25 yard run to put the Bulldogs up on their home field.

The Tigers didn’t back down and they eventually scored just before halftime to knot the game at 14.

The third period was identical to the first as both teams squandered chances at scores or had the defenses stiffen to turn the ball over. The Becker defense caused three fumble recoveries and one interception while the Tigers had  one fumble recovery and one interception.

In the fourth, with the game on the line, Kowalkowski found Tarver Schendzielos from 27 yards out to pull ahead and put a dagger in the Tiger’s hopes. Becker held on and as the horn sounded, the team erupted in jubilation with the win.

Kowalkowski finished six-for-15 for 68 yards through the air and had the one throwing TD and one running TD. Sawyer Brown attempted two passes and completed both for 57 yards.

On the ground, Isaiah Boyer had 10 rushes for 50 yards including a 15 yard sprint. Nathan Weiss had 25 yards on eight carries.

Receiving, Schendzielos finished with two catches for 45 yards and the one score. Boyer had three catches for 44 yards.

On defense, Bennett Kujawa totaled eight tackles including four assists. Dalton Weisz had six tackles and three assists.

Kicker Brigham Ebert converted both PATs and had an outstanding game kicking the ball as he has throughout the year.

Princeton ran 72 plays to Becker’s 45 and the Tigers finished with a total of 229 yards. Becker finished with 231 yards.

The Bulldogs were slated to take on the Fergus Falls Otters in the second round on the road. The Bulldogs lost to Fergus Falls in September of this year by a score of 28-7.