URGENT UPDATE: The Hettinger County Huskies have triumphed over their rivals, the Hettinger-Scranton Nighthawks, with a decisive score of 20-6 in a thrilling showdown held in New England, North Dakota. Senior running back Mark Fitterer was the standout performer, rushing for an impressive 171 yards on 29 carries, securing the victory and reclaiming the coveted Range War Trophy for the third consecutive year.
Fitterer’s explosive performance was pivotal, particularly in the first half, where he amassed 142 yards on 18 carries. “The offensive line was great. I mean, you can’t run without them. None of my credit goes without my teammates,” Fitterer emphasized after the game.
The Nighthawks struck first, forcing a fumble at the 9:53 mark of the first quarter and taking an early lead at 6-0. However, the Huskies responded swiftly. Senior quarterback Jordon Jung executed a crucial play-action pass, connecting with Aiden Rafferty for a two-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 8-6 after a successful two-point conversion.
Jung’s impact was felt on both sides of the ball. Not only did he contribute with passing touchdowns, but he also made two critical interceptions, frustrating the Nighthawks’ offensive efforts in the fourth quarter. “Jordon is so savvy. He feels confident in his coverages…having those two in the back and just being ball hawks is huge,” said Huskies head coach Nate Zachmann.
Rafferty played a key role as well, adding 49 yards rushing and two touchdown receptions, including a vital 20-yard catch that extended the Huskies’ lead to 14-6. Fitterer capped off the scoring with a one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, sealing the 20-6 victory.
The Nighthawks struggled throughout the game, managing only 124 yards on the ground from 55 carries and suffering from three turnovers and six penalties, which cost them 45 yards. “A few bounces go a different way and it’s a whole different ball game,” reflected Nighthawks head coach Jason LeFebre. “They played a whale of a game, but little mistakes led to our downfall.”
Despite their challenges, the Nighthawks pushed hard in the fourth quarter, refusing to give up. “Our guys never quit and played to the bitter end,” LeFebre noted, emphasizing the resilience of his team.
Looking ahead, the Huskies (1-2) aim to build on this momentum when they travel to take on the Standing Rock Warriors on September 12, 2023. Meanwhile, the Nighthawks will seek redemption as they host Kidder County on the same day.
Stay tuned for more updates on these developing stories as the high school football season progresses.
