Becker. behind a 15 yard TD pass from Matt Veldman to Matt Conzemius with just 21 seconds remaining in the game, couldn’t hold on and the Skippers marched downfield in the last seconds to set up for the winning field goal.

 

Two major defensive penalties against the Bulldogs enabled that drive to continue, each giving the Skippers first downs, one on their 35 yard line and another at midfield.

 

Tonka QB Sykes hit several pass completions, the last to Paul Afflito for 15 yards to the Becker 14 yard line, where the winning kick was launched.

 

Becker took a first quarter lead in the misty evening as QB Veldman called all the signals and provided a dominating performance. He tossed a one yard TD pass to Eric Blomquist and that lead held up until the second quarter, when the home team took the lead on a Sykes to Matt Watt 38 yard pass play. They kicked the PAT and held a one-point lead.

 

Veldman was back for more action in the second quarter, thjrowing a five yard TD pass to Blomquist again. But something irritating began happening for the visiting Bulldogs - they missed their second consequtive PAT on an incomplete Veldman pass.

 

And that continued through the second half, as Becker actually lost the game - converting zero PAT opportunties in four tries.

So, Becker held a 12-7 halftime lead and that held up until into the fourth quarter.

 

Sykes connected with Jack Burns for a 23-yard TD pass and their two point PAT gave them the lead.

 

C.J. Schwintek, the Bulldogs’ leading rusher, capped a drive for Becker with a nine yard run and Becker was back on top, 18-14.

 

But that wasn’t to last. Sykes hooked up with Vance Banners on a 48-yard TD pass, then Veldman launched a 15-yard TD pass to Matt Conzemius for the go-ahead score and the Bulldogs were jumping with glee.

 

If only for a successful PAT.

 

That set up Minnetonka’s last minute heroics.

 

Veldman threw 37 times, completing 21 for 213 yards and three scores. Blomquist caught eight for 70; Conzemius, 6-81 and Dawson Brown, 1-11.

 

Schwintek ran 16 times for 61 yards and a score; Adam Rasmussen went 4-56 and Alex Stanger, 2-4.

 

Becker had 293 yards, 174 passing and 119 running, while Minnetonka had 355 yards, 153 in the air and 202 running. Becker had 13 pass first downs, seven by rushing. Tonka had seven pass first downs, 12 by rushing.

 

The game was the first of five regular season affairs Becker will play on the road this year. They get home Friday against Zimmerman as they open conference play.