Dylan Bonsack, 22, burst through the line and past defenders during USC’s 38-7 win over St. Clair in early October. The Rebels faced Lester Prairie on Nov. 1 for a spot in the state tournament.
The second-seeded United South Central Rebels defeated the third-seeded Cleveland/Immanuel Lutheran Clippers and will advance to the Section 2A Championship Game in New Prague on November 1st. He earned the right to play against Prairie. 10th place in the second round semi-final match on Saturday, October 26th.
Lester Prairie defeated Gibbon/Fairfax Winthrop 39-6 in the other Section 2A semifinal to earn a spot in the section final.
Cleveland/IL got on the board first, driving the ball to the USC 7-yard line on their second possession against USC.
The Clippers had a third down, needing three yards for a first down, when the Rebels’ Nathan Muschler tackled Cleveland/Illinois ball carrier Cale Kelly for a five-yard loss. The Clippers elected to attempt a 29-yard field goal, and Caleb Possin kicked it into the uprights. With 14 seconds left in the first quarter, the Clippers held a 3-0 lead.
With 4:39 left in the second quarter, Cleveland/Illinois had moved the ball into USC’s territory at their 47-yard line when the Rebels’ Dylan Vonsak intercepted a pass from the Clippers’ Carson Lyons, and Cleveland/Illinois returned the ball to. IL18 yard line.
USC couldn’t overcome a false start penalty on first down and ended up turning the ball over to Cleveland/Illinois on downs.
Three plays later, the Rebels faced the Lions again. Avery Crawford picked up the pick and returned the ball to the Clippers’ 15-yard line.
Byron Getchell ran the ball twice for a total of 11 yards and gained a USC first down at the 4-yard line. Two plays later, Getchell got the call again, carried the ball and scored a 3-yard touchdown. Getchell then ran the ball in for the extra point, giving the Rebels an 8-3 lead with 43 seconds left before halftime.
Cleveland/Illinois regained the lead in the third quarter when the Lions completed a 31-yard touchdown pass to Brennan Kortuem with 6:29 left in the third quarter. Possin kicked the extra point, giving the Clippers a 10-8 lead.
Cleveland/Illinois held the lead until just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Getchell’s 5-yard touchdown run capped off a 23-play, 78-yard drive that gave the Rebels a 14-10 lead. Getchell threw the ball to Isaiah Gonzalez for the two-point conversion, making the score 16-10 and giving USC the lead.
Cleveland/Illinois began its ensuing drive from its own 25-yard line. Seventeen plays later, the Clippers drove the ball to the Rebels’ 5-yard line.
There was only six seconds left on the scoreboard clock, so Cleveland/Illinois had time for one more play.
The Lions fell back to pass, but were sacked by USC’s Gavin Granske, ending the game and giving the Rebels the win and a chance to play for the Section 2A championship.
USC finished the game with 15 first downs and 188 yards of total offense. He gained 173 yards on the ground and 15 through the air.
Cleveland/Illinois had 13 first downs and had 277 yards of total offense. They rushed for 25 yards and threw for 252 yards.
USC’s leading rusher was Getchell, who gained 100 yards on 20 carries. Vonsack gained 37 yards on 13 attempts.
Braman completed 2 of 4 passes for 15 yards.
Getchell led the defense with seven tackles, followed by Bonsack with six and Muchler with five.
