Thunder football wins first

The Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College football team never trailed Saturday afternoon, but boy was it close.

Recording a late fourth-quarter, fourth-down sack, as well as a blocked point-after attempt just moments before, the Thunder held on to defeat Minnesota West Community and Technical College 14-13 in Minnesota College Athletic Conference clash on a hot and muggy Saturday afternoon at Bromberg Field in Cloquet.

It was the first win of the fall for FDLTCC (1-2).

“We needed to get one in the win column,” said Thunder coach Keith Turner, noting their pair of close single-digit losses already this season. “We’re happy with the win.”

With a late 14-7 FDLTCC lead, Minnesota West – located in Worthington, Minn. – scored to pull within a point when the Thunder blocked the point-after attempt to preserve their slim lead at 14-13. Chris Mixon then later sacked Minnesota West quarterback Teddy Joseph on fourth-down inside the 20-yard line to close things out.

Scores included FDLTCC quarterback Michael Davis hitting Brandan Peterson in the end zone despite heavy traffic, while holder John Green scurried in for the other touchdown on a botched field goal snap.

“We were in control, but we just couldn’t get another score to pull away,” Turner added. “Everyone in the league is pretty good, and no lead is ever safe. Our kids know they have to play hard every down and know they have to improve to be a good team.”

FDLTCC volleyball opens season winless

While the football team was winning, the volleyball squad was losing.

Opening the season Saturday afternoon, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College lost all four of its matches at the Itasca Community College Tournament in Grand Rapids.

The Thunder (0-4) lost consecutive matches against Itasca, Vermilion, Gogebic and Anoka-Ramsey. They were swept 2-0 in all matches, except a 2-1 defeat to Gogebic.

According to head coach Loran Wappes, Rachel Sanda (53 digs), Rita Aspinwall (45 set assists), Holly Nelson (29 kills) and Amber Gregg (22 kills) led the way for FDLTCC.

The Thunder had their home opener against Vermilion Community College Wednesday evening when this edition of the Pine Journal went to press. They’ll next host Hibbing Community

College at 6:30 p.m. Friday, followed by Rainy River Community College at noon Saturday.

Tags: thunder sports, sports, fdltcc, football