KMS takes Battle of Swift County

By Sam Peterson
Swift County Monitor
Benson only had to make the short trip to Murdock Sept. 6 to play the KMS Saints in the Battle for Swift County trophy game. The Saints held a lead for the majority of the game and were able to withstand a late push from the Braves to secure a 28-20 win.
The teams entered the game with opposite records. The Saints earned a win over Wadena-Deer Creek, while Benson was coming off an opening loss to Mahnomen-Waubun.
The Braves received the opening kickoff and took advantage. Jaden McCarter broke open a 43-yard touchdown run on the opening drive to put Benson ahead 6-0.
The Saints responded the first time they touched the ball, capping off a drive with a five-yard pass from Hunter Engelke to Talen Riley and took the lead with an extra point from Luisao Padilla to make it 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Saints stretched their lead when Jett Olson scored from two yards out to give KMS a 14-6 lead.
Benson had a solid return on the ensuing kickoff and drove the ball inside the KMS 30 yard line, but failed on fourth down to give the ball back to the Saints. KMS went right down the field and Jett Olson punched in his second rushing touchdown of the half from a yard out to make it 21-6 at the halftime break.
Defenses had the advantage in the third quarter with neither team able to record a point.
Early in the fourth quarter, it looked like KMS put the game out of reach when Jett Olson scored his third touchdown of the game with a 12-yard run to make it 28-6.

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