Despite shaky start, Bulldogs tear apart E-PC Wolves for big homecoming win

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BOYCEVILLE — It certainly wasn’t the start that Boyceville expected or wanted when it hosted a special Saturday afternoon edition of Dunn-St. Croix football, September 16, especially on homecoming.

Boyceville turned the ball over on its first three possessions, had a touchdown erased by penalty and found itself actually trailing for the first time this season. But, thanks to their stout defense, the Bulldogs only trailed their homecoming opponent, the Wolves of Elmwood-Plum City, 6-0 late in the first quarter.

With the offensive unit stumbling early, it was Boyceville’s special teams that sparked a comeback. Specifically, it was a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown by senior Caden Wold late in the opening quarter that got the Bulldogs humming on all cylinders once again.

When Wold crossed the goal line with Boyceville’s first score of the game at the 1:09 mark of the first quarter, it seemed to push open the scoring flood gates for the Bulldogs who went on to score 50 unanswered points as they routed the Wolves 50-6 much to the enjoyment of the large and loyal homecoming crowd.

The win keeps Boyceville unbeaten as it improved to 3-0 in conference play and 5-0 overall.

“That was the worst start we have had all year,” stated Bulldogs’ head coach Michael Roemhild. “Anything that could have gone wrong went wrong in that first quarter. But, I thought the way we responded shows everyone the type of determination this team has.”

“(After the third turnover) The team responded with another great defensive stand and Caden Wold took the punt for a TD,” continued Roemhild. “That calmed everyone down, and from there on out we were able to come out and execute on offense and our defense shut down every aspect of their running game.”

“It was good for these guys to face a little adversity. This was our first time being down all year, and I thought we responded the best we could,” he added.

Boyceville took the game’s opening kickoff but fumbled. Elmwood-Plum City recovered at Boyceville’s 35 yard line.

The Wolves drove to the ten, but on third and one, E-PC running back Blake Allen fumbled the ball but recovered back on the 17. On fourth down, the Bulldogs defense rose up and knocked down the pass to give the ball back to its offense.

That lasted all of two plays. 

A  quick pass from Carson Roemhild to older brother Braden was completed but a Wolves’ defender ripped the ball loose and recovered at the Dogs’ nine yard line.

On a fourth and goal, Elmwood-Plum City final punched through to the end zone on a Allen 2-yard run at 6:42. Boyceville stuffed the two-point conversion run to keep the score at 6-0.

Boyceville marched its next possession inside the E-PC 40 but a deep, first-down pass attempt was picked off by the Wolves’ Aaden Birtzer at the two. A few plays prior to the pick, Carson Roemhild had connected with Caden Wold on a long pass for a touchdown. But an offensive pass interference wiped out  the score, Wold, however, would redeem himself.

Allen gave the Wolves some breathing room with a 12-yard run on first down, but Boyceville shut down E-PC on the next three plays to force a punt. Caden Wold cradled the Dylan Zeillinger boot around his own 45 and sprinted to the near sideline and was gone for Boyceville’s first score. Zach Hellendrung ran in the two-point conversion to give the Bulldogs an 8 to 6 advantage.

Boyceville never trail again!

Elmwood-Plum City picked up a first down on its ensuing possession, but just a few minutes into the second quarter the Wolves had to punt the football.

A short kick gave Boyceville great field position at the E-PC 43 yard line. Runs of five and six yards by Bredan Roemhild and Zach Hellendrung, respectively, and a defensive penalty on the Wolves moved the ball to the 12 yard line. Hellendrung ran for seven yard on first down and Nick Olson completed the drive on the next play as carried the ball into the end zone from five yards out. Carson Roemhild’s conversion pass fell incomplete but the Bulldogs lead 14-6 with 7:17 remaining the half.

Boyceville defense would again stifle the E-PC offense and force yet another short punt that gave the Bulldogs possession just inside Wolves’ territory. Six plays later Wold scored six on a 4-yard toss from Carson Roemhild. A 21-yard run by Nick Olson helped to set-up the touchdown. Hellendrung was stopped short on the 2-point conversion try but Boyceville was now in front 20-6 with 1:19 left until halftime.

An extended halftime break due to some homecoming activities didn’t seem to effect the Bulldogs, particularly their offense.

In the third quarter, Boyceville scored three touchdowns with corresponding two-point conversions to initiate a running clock for the fourth quarter of play.

Olson scored his second touchdown run of the afternoon on a 3-yard dive at the 7:23 mark of the third. Carson Roemhild ran the conversion try over the goal line to make it a 28-6 contest.

Bulldog senior Parker Coombs came up with the football when the Wolves mishandled the squib kickoff and Boyceville was back on offense. Just a minute and seven seconds later, Braden Roemhild ran wide and scored from 14 yards away. Carson Roemhild ran in the two-point try and just like that it was 36-6.

The Bulldogs, however, were not done scoring in the quarter. With 30 ticks left on the third-period clock, Carson Roemhild and Caden Wold collaborated on their second pitch-and-catch score of the game, this one covering five yards. Hellendrung battered his way through the Elmwood-Plum City defense to complete the two-point conversion run that extended the Bulldog lead to 44-6.

Boyceville added a final score with 2:08 left in the game. Senior Zach Kersten scored on a one-yard plunge and Owen Rydel ran in the conversion to make the final 50-6.

The Bulldogs finished with 351 yards of offense including 198 yards rushing on 36 carries. Eight Bulldog rushers gained positive yards. Zach Hellendrung topped that field of ball carriers with 65 yards on a dozen hauls, Nick Olson finished with 57 yards and two TDs on nine carries and Braden Roemhild ran for 35 yards and a score on seven attempts. Sophmore signal caller Carson Roemhild had a stellar day throwing the ball finishing 10-14 for 153 yards and a pair of scores against one interception. Devin Halama was a favorite target of Roemhild’s with the senior catching five balls for 96 yards. Wold had four receptions, two for touchdowns, to finish with 52 yards.

Elmwood-Plum City had just 98 yards of offense, 87 of which came via the run game led by Blake Allen’s 60 yards effort on 18 carries.

Boyceville will host rival Glenwood City this Friday.

“Our focus is all on Glenwood City’s air attack which has pretty much been unstoppable,” said Roemhild. “We are going to have to be able to cover multiple receivers, get pressure on their quarterback, and control the ball on offense if we want to get the win.”