WATERTOWN, S.D. – The Mitchell Kernels rallied in the fourth quarter and held on for a 23-22, double overtime victory over No. 3 Watertown Friday night at the Allen Mitchell Athletic Complex.
The Kernels led 6-3 entering the fourth quarter after Bailor Kristensen scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter on a fourth and goal. Watertown took a 10-6 lead early in the fourth quarter after Kye Paulson recovered a fumble in the end zone after a Tyson Miller run.
Mitchell answered with 3:42 remaining when Brady Hoesing connected with Jontay Julien for a 68-yard touchdown on a fourth and three, putting the Kernels back in front 13-10. Watertown tied the game on Carson Schlaht’s 27-yard field goal with 18 seconds remaining.
In the first overtime, Schlaht hit a 28-yard field goal for Watertown before Gavin Zilla answered with a 24-yarder for Mitchell. Hoesing then gave the Kernels the lead for good with a 9-yard quarterback keeper and Zilla’s extra point made it 23-16.
Watertown responded with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Kaeden Himmerich to Braden Jenc, but the extra point was blocked by Rocky Clark, securing the Mitchell victory.
Hoesing completed 11 of 16 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown and also had 30 rushing yards and a touchdown. Mason Kempf carried seven times for 35 yards, while Kristensen had 32 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Lawson LeBrun added 19 yards on seven carries.
Julien caught one pass for 68 yards and the touchdown. Samari Wright led Mitchell with six receptions for 45 yards, while Kristensen added three catches for 14 yards.
Defensively, Landon Johnson, Kempf and Owen Schelske each recorded 11 tackles. Schelske added 2.5 tackles for loss, while Kristensen had eight tackles and an interception. Devin Henkel also had an interception, and the Mitchell defense finished with 7.5 tackles for loss.
Mitchell finished with 275 yards of total offense, including 144 rushing and 131 passing. Watertown had 325 total yards, but the Kernels forced three turnovers and converted two of three fourth-down attempts.
Mitchell improves to 4-2 on the season, while Watertown falls to 3-3. The Kernels will be at No. 2 Tea Area on Friday at 6 pm. Coverage starts with the KORNer Booth pregame show at 5 pm on KORN News Radio FM 101.3/AM 1490 and KORNRadio.com