Fall Creek, Osseo-Fairchild gridders have successful season openers
Not only did Fall Creek have a successful opener to its 2026 season but an entertaining one as well as the Crickets held off a spirited effort from long-time rival Altoona to win at home 28-20 on Friday, Aug. 21.
The Railroaders scored all of their points in the final quarter as FC went into that quarter leading 14-0. They were eld by quarterback Owen Gunderson has he threw for 149 yards and two TDs and scored twice on the ground with 104 yards rushing on 12 carries.
The passing yards were lopsided in favor of Altoona 149-5 but Fall Creek's Ethan Westrate rushed for 100 yards on 18 carries and scored twice. The Crickets had 166 yards rushing and three TDs on the ground plus a kick-off return for a score. On defense, Bryson Elkins led the Crickets in tackles with five and had an interception as well plus a tackle-for-loss. FC also blocked two kicks as well.
The Crickets next contest is at Barron this Friday. The Golden Bears lost their opener at Cameron 42-34.
Osseo-Fairchild was also a Game 1 winner last week as they beat Necedah at home 43-6. Quarterback Ty Skoyen threw three touchdown passes for 170 yards on a 9-of-13 effort. Fellow senior Brooks Koxlien was his leading receiver with two catches for 87 yards and two TDs and sophomore running back Daeganj Swett rushed for 87 yards on six cxarreis for a score. Holden Mccray was the Thunder's top tackler with 10, including a sack. O-F is at Webster this Friday, Aug. 28. The Tigers won at Independence/Gilmanton last week 39-0.
The Dairyland Conference definitely split right down the middle. The top four teams all won easily last week and three of them (Melrose-Mindoro, defending champ Cochrane-Fountain City and Whitehall) all won by shutout with Alma/Pepin the only one giving up a TD in a 49-6 win. The other four teams all lost, three of them shutout with only Augusta getting a score. E-S was beaten 43-0 at home Thursday, Aug. 20 by Glenwood City as the Hilltoppers led 30-0 at halftime thanks to senior running back Brock Woods over 100 yards rushing and three scores. Augusta lost 38-8 at Colfax, who E-S plays this week at Colfax. AHS trailed 32-0 at halftime before getting a late score in the fourth quarter. Sophomore quarterback Grant DeMoe threw for 262 yards on 12-of-19 passing for the Vikings and three TDs. Austyn Pederson led Colfax in receiving with five catches for 100 yards and two TDs.
Augusta hosts Elmwood/Plum City this Thursday, Aug. 27.
