Staff photo by Steve Muscatello Springfield running back Kadin Johnson gets away from Minnesota Valley Lutheran's Kaiden Hammerschmidt Friday at Johnson Field in New Ulm.

NEW ULM — Springfield defeated Minnesota Valley Lutheran 43-26 on Friday in a Southwest District football game.

The Tigers scored first on a 10-yard run by Ashtin Johnson with 7:39 left in the first quarter. Mark Peschges tried to kick for the extra point, but it was no good and Springfield led 6-0.

Later in the first quarter, MVL had to put and Springfield took possession of the ball at the MVL 26-yard line. Brendon Buerkle threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Mason Leonard with 5:13 left. Johnson tried to throw the ball for a 2-point conversion, but it was unsuccessfull for a 12-0 Tiger lead.

Later, Johnson handed off the ball to Leonard who ran for a first down to open the second quarter. On the next play, Leonard ran the ball 13-yards for a Springfield touchdown. Johnson ran the ball in for the 2-point conversion giving it a 20-0 advantage.

Luke Thompson tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Josh Giefer for MVL’s first touchdown with 5:19 left in the second quarter. Thompson handed the ball off to Kaiden Hammerschmidt for an attempted 2-point conversion. The Springfield defense stopped it and it was 20-6 Springfield.

With 5:11 remaining in the first half, Buerkle threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Tori Helget. Helget was wide open and he weaved his way through the Charger defense. Springfield’s attempt for a 2-point conversion was good increasing the Tiger’s lead to 28-6.

Buerkle handed the ball off to Kadin Johnson who broke several tackles for a 36-yard touchdown run. The Tigers attempted to kick the ball for the conversion, but it broke down. Peschges improvised and tossed the ball to Leonard for 2-points and a 36-6 halftime lead.

Thompson found Lukas Freier for a 4-yard touchdown pass with 8:07 left in the third quarter. Bradyn Kube tried to kick for the extra point, but it was no good for a 36-12 score.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Luke Thompson hit Cole Thompson for an important first down. Luke Thompson scored for MVL on an 11-yard touchdown run. Luke Thompson completed a pass to David Santleman for a 36-20 Springfield lead.

Later, the Chargers were driving but Luke Thompson’s pass was picked off by Jordan Toll, who ran it back 95-yards for a Tiger touchdown. Peschges’ kick was successful and Springfield led 43-20.

Luke Thompson later completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Cole Thompson with 3:10 remaining in the contest. MVL tried to pass for the 2-point conversion, but it was no good.

Kadin Johnson of Springfield had 133-yards rushing. Brendon Buerkle had155-yards passing, Corey Helget had five recenptions for 70-yards. Caleb Hauger and Ashtin Toll each had 12 tackles. Jordan Toll had an intereception and Isaak Lothert had a fumble recovery.

Springfield will host Martin County Central on Friday while MVL will host New Ulm Cathedral on Friday.