Mondovi claims DSC win in rivalry game at Durand
by Beth Kraft
Mondovi and Durand have squared off in an annual non-conference grudge match for the past 20+ years since Mondovi departed the Middle Border Conference, but this year’s matchup at Durand on Friday night, Sept. 4, carried some additional weight. With the Panthers joining the Dunn-St. Croix Conference starting this season, the annual rivalry game between the two teams meant a key conference win was once again on the line in addition to bragging rights.
As the rivalry entered a new era last week, Mondovi started out the series 1-0 with an uplifting 34-22 win on the Panthers’ home field.
The heat and humidity were oppressive that evening as both teams grappled for the advantage in an evenly-fought first half. Neither team scored in the first quarter as both came up with big defensive plays, then Durand posted the game’s first score on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Josh Biesterveld to Travis Bauer with 8:31 remaining in the half.
Mondovi countered a few minutes later when junior Shane Van Roo found his way into the end zone on a 12-yard run to tie the score at 6-6, a tally that held all the way to halftime.
At that point, the game looked to be an even match to the end, but the Buffaloes eventually pushed the Durand defense into caving little by little as the third quarter progressed.
Mondovi then notched three touchdowns to none to gain the upper hand. The Buffs’ scoring drive began with just under three minutes to play in the third as Boe Olson plunged across the goal line and Austin Fedie ran in the two-point conversion for a 14-6 Mondovi lead. Early in the fourth, Van Roo again found the end zone and a Fedie touchdown with 3:30 remaining in the game gave the Buffaloes a 20-point lead.
The Panthers countered with just under two minutes remaining as Ben Weber connected with Lawson Harmon for an 18-yard score, then Harmon notched the successful two-point conversion to bring Durand within 12.
But Van Roo, who scampered for a game-high 194 yards in the game, wasn’t done yet. He punched through a big hole in the Durand line and carved his way across the middle of the field for a 36-yard touchdown run and his third score of the game.
With Mondovi again up by 20 points, 34-14, Durand tallied one last touchdown before the final horn sounded, but the Buffaloes still took the game by 12.
Mondovi’s ground game racked up 337 yards against Durand while the host Panthers had 66 yards total. Aside from Van Roo’s dominant performance, senior quarterback Greg Poeschel also had a solid outing, rushing for 79 yards on 13 carries and completing three passes, all caught by senior Blake Purdy for 61 yards, with just one interception.
Durand posted 180 reception yards split amongst four different passers, throwing 9-for-18 for the game.
Mondovi (1-2 overall) will look to continue its promising performance against the Panthers in this week’s DSC game vs. Spring Valley. The Buffaloes will face the Cardinals on their home field on Friday night, Sept. 11, beginning at 7 p.m.
