By Mike Drooger –

The good news was it was nearly perfect weather Saturday, October 29, when the Edgerton Flying Dutchmen ventured to Hills to take on the Patriots of Hills-Beaver Creek in Section 3 Nine-Man football playoffs. The sky was clear, the wind was minimal, and the mercury in the thermometer reached 61. The bad news was the Dutchmen had to play the Patriots.

H-BC finished a COVID-shortened 2020 season with a record of 7-0 and the trophy for Section 3. Because of the virus, there wasn’t a state tournament, but if there had been, the Patriots—who gave up just 35 points in their seven games—would have been a favorite to win it all.

Entering their game vs. Edgerton on 10/30, the Pates had a record of 7-2, their two losses coming on back-to-back weeks vs. Renville County West (7-3) and Mountain Lake Area (9-1).

On October 20, the Patriots defeated Edgerton 43-8. Ten days later the score was nearly duplicated as H-BC cruised to a 44-8 win to advance to the section championship game Friday, November 5, at 11:30 in Marshall at Southwest Minnesota State University vs. the Wolverines of Mountain Lake Area.

Edgerton’s first possession at Hills resulted in a first down thanks in large part to a pass and catch from Edgerton’s two seniors. Nolan Buckridge hit Jacob Fischer for a gain of eight yards. The next play was a Buckridge run up the gut to the 49 for a first down, but the drive eventually stalled and EHS punted. Eight plays later the Patriots were in the end zone, they added the two-point conversion, and led 8-0.

Roughly two and a half minutes later the Patriots scored again. The conversion pass attempt failed, and it was 14-0. The deficit grew to 22-0 by the end of the first quarter and 36-0 by halftime.

Much to the credit of the Patriots and Head Coach Rex Metzger; H-BC flooded the field with substitutes in the third quarter, which helped level the playing field. Even with HBC’s subs on offense, they were able to score, and they got the conversion for a tally of 44-0.