While unexpectedly heavy snowfall in the second half at Sebeka favored the running attack, it didn’t matter much to the United North Central Warriors, who were already having one of their best rushing games of the season against the defending Class A state champion, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg.

The Warriors led 28-7 at halftime, then cemented the win with a fourth quarter touchdown for game final of 34-7.

Tailback Tom Gruchow made his best effort of the season – 135 yards on 22 carries with three touchdowns. Quarterback Kasey Tyge also scored a touchdown on the run, and the Warriors totaled 210 yards on the ground overall.

That’s not to say UNC abandoned its passing attack. Tyge completed a neat seven of 11 attempts for 118 yards, along with a touchdown to Alex Brockpahler.

The win kept the Warriors at the top of the Prairie North with just two regular season games left to play.

United North Central plays its last regular season home game tonight (Oct. 14) in Menahga against the Pillager Huskies, then will travel to Upsala for the regular season finale on Tuesday, October 20.

1st Half Blowout

The Warriors all but put the game out of reach of the Fighting Saints in the first half at Sebeka.

UNC had two scoring drives in the first quarter, both sparked by sharp defensive plays.

A KMS fumble led to a short drive by UNC that ended with a touchdown by Tyge at 8:55. David Revelo’s point after kick was good and the Warriors were up, 7-0.

Minutes later, UNC linebacker Ethan Huttunen blocked a punt to give the Warriors a short field again. Four plays later, Gruchow crossed the goal line at 5:24. The point after kick was good, and United North Central had a 14-0 lead at the end of the period.

KMS scored their only touchdown of the game early in the second quarter, but the Warriors answered twice in the period – a touchdown pass to Brockpahler at 5:46 and Gruchow’s second touchdown of the game with just 15 seconds left in the period to make it 28-7 at the half.

Neither team scored in the third quarter, but Gruchow made it a 34-7 game with a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Luke Hendrickson was the leading receiver with three catches for 89 yards. Gruchow had two receptions for 18 yards, and Brockpahler caught two for 11 yards and a touchdown.

Gruchow was the leading rusher (135 yards, 22 carries) and Tyge ran the ball 10 times for 48 yards. Also contributing were Tanner Burgau (16 yards, one carry). John Clark (four yards, two carries); Justin Luedke (four yards, one carry), Markus Tolkkinen (two yards, two carries) and Huttunen (one yard, two carries).