Rebels roll into semis

Mother Nature provided the wind on Tuesday night, but Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton provided the thunder and lightning with its two running backs.

Taylor Yliniemi pounded the ball up the middle for 101 yards and two touchdowns while Zack Askelson juked and jived on the outside for another 145 yards and two scores in D-G-F's Minnesota Class 2A, Section 8 quarterfinal victory over the United North Central Warriors.

"Having that inside-outside threat just pays huge dividends for us," D-G-F coach Travis Christensen said.

The Warriors could not stop the two-pronged running attack of the Rebels.

"I run on the outside and it opens up big holes for him," Askelson said. "Same with him, he runs it up the inside and it makes big holes outside."

Askelson's 145-yard, two-TD performance is even more impressive because he is the backup running back, having seen limited action throughout the year.

The Rebels lost starting running back Justin Johnson to an ankle injury in the first quarter.

"I'm sure it was a shock (for Askelson)," Christensen said. "But I tell you what, he handled it very well tonight.

"He's been a very good player on the JV for us and we knew he had this in him. We just weren't sure how soon he'd be able to help us on the varsity level."

The Rebels built a 20-0 halftime lead behind their strong running game and a stingy defense.

But the Warriors came out strong in the second half, marching 65 yards for a touchdown on the half's opening drive.

The Rebels responded, scoring on a 59-yard drive, putting the game out of reach.

UNC 0 0 8 0-8

D-G-F 0 20 6 6-32

DGF- Yliniemi 11 run (Askelson run good)

DGF- Yliniemi 5 run (run failed)

DGF- Askelson 24 run (run failed)

UNC- Brockpahler 17 pass from Yrjo (Ahlf run good)

DGF- Askelson 33 run (run failed)

DGF- M. Nelson 14 run (kick failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: UNC: Hrdlicka 19-91, Ahlf 8-42, Yrjo 2-5, Hendrickson 1-3. DGF: Askelson 16-145, Yliniemi 17-101, M. Nelson 7-41, J. Johnson 6-39, Crabtree 11-29,

PASSING: UNC: Yrjo 7-16-2 51 yards. DGF: M. Nelson 1-4-2 37 yards

RECEIVING: UNC: Brockpahler 2-22, Hendrickson 2-20 Hrdlicka 3-9. DGF: Molina 1-37.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Brian Kimmes at (701) 241-5544 Rebels roll into semis By Brian Kimmes 20071024