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SLEEPY EYE -- Springfield's Decker Scheffler connected with Isaac Fink on a 25-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds left in the game to lift the Tigers past the Sleepy Eye Indians 45-42 in a Southwest District, East Subdistrict football game Friday night.
The Indians drove the ball down to the Tigers 20-yard line with just 3 seconds left to play for a field goal attempt to tie the game. The attempt was no good as the Tigers held out to win the crucial district matchup.
The Tigers gave up a second half lead late in the third quarter after a fumbled kickoff opened the third quarter and was recovered by the Indians to start a drive. The Indians trailed 25-12 to the Tigers at the end of the second quarter.
The Indians drove the ball to the Tigers' 5-yard line when Landon Strong powered his way into the end zone, now trailing 25-20.
Springfield answered back with a quick drive to open an 11-point lead after Scheffler sailed a 60-yard pass to Fink to find the end zone. Scheffler’s pass was lofted up and hit Fink in stride as he broke away from coverage.
Sleepy Eye closed the deficit when Keegan Heiderscheidt hit Jacob Berg with a pass as Berg found the end zone. The Indians completed the 2-point conversion as the Tigers still led 31-28 with just over four minutes to play in the third quarter.
Sleepy Eye took the lead with 38 seconds left to play in the third with a defensive stop as the Tigers faced fourth-and-goal from the 28-yard line.
Sleepy Eye’s Berg carried the ball 72 yards on the next play to take the lead 35-31 with time running out in the third quarter.
The Indians went up big with 10 minutes left to play in the game when Strong carried the ball 70 yards for the touchdown after a three-and-out by the Tigers as the Indians now led 42-31.
The Tigers defense returned the favor to give the offense a chance with a defensive stop at their own 28-yard line with plenty of time left on the game clock.
The Tigers converted a fourth-and-3 to keep a drive alive with the game clock becoming a factor. The drive was ended when Fink pulled in another TD catch from 18-yards out making the score 42-39 in the Indians favor.
Springfield's failed onside kick gave the Indians the ball at the Springfield 44-yard line with under three minutes to play. Penalties forced the Indians back into their own territory and forced them to punt to the Tigers, which started the game-winning drive.
Scheffler had 372 yards passing with seven touchdowns, while rushing for 86 yards on 15 carries. Fink had 166 yards receiving and five TDs, while Jordan Kieper had five catches for 151 yards and two TDs.
Also for the Tigers, Mason Rummel ran for 180 yards on 25 carries and had nine tackles for the defense.
The Indians were led by Strong, who had 351 total yards of offense and four TDs, while Berg had 152 rushing yards and a receiving TD.
Springfield had 642 total yards of offense, while the Indians had 588 total yards.