PECATONICA — For three quarters, the Pecatonica football team was throwing one heck of a surprise party.

But on the first play from scrimmage in the fourth quarter, Tommy Bowers and No. 1 (Class 1A) Dakota crashed the party and held on for dear life, winning 13-12.

“When we first came to this conference, the one thing I was concerned about was how we would play against these physical teams,” Pecatonica coach Brett Frederick said. “We still have problems with speed and athletes, but tonight, this was just two heavyweights going right at each other.”

For three quarters, it looked like Pec’s interior linemen would have enough to pull off the stunner, but on the first play from scrimmage in the fourth quarter, Bowers went off left tackle and broke off a 33-yard touchdown run that tied the game.

Dakota would nail the extra point to take a 13-12 lead.

Bowers had a career-high 37 carries on the night, most coming between the tackles.

“I’ve never had that many in a game before,” Bowers said. “But I like it.”

Bowers’ bruising style was in sharp contrast to Pecatonica’s wide-open offense that was at its best in the first half and midway through the third quarter.

The score remained tied into the third quarter when Longenecker hit Brock Day for a 43-yard touchdown pass.

But in the fourth quarter, the Dakota size and time of possession would finally wear down Pec’s defense.

“We pride ourselves on our conditioning,” Bowers said. “We don’t like to wait until the fourth quarter, but we know that’s when it’s our time.”

- Scott Holland, GateHouse News Service