CHAMBERLAIN — Vermillion quarterback Jack Kratz rushed for four first-half touchdowns as the Tanagers earned a 28-6 win over Chamberlain on Friday night.
Kratz got things going early, capping a game-opening four-minute scoring drive with a 15-yard touchdown scamper. Vermillion opted out of an extra point kick, electing instead for Jeremy Crowe to score the 2-point conversion.
Chamberlain wasted no time answering Vermillion’s opening scoring drive. On the Cubs’ first play from scrimmage, sophomore quarterback Cruz Soulek tossed a 56-yard touchdown pass to Ty Graesser up the left seam. A blocked extra point left the Cubs trailing the Tanagers 8-6.
From that point on, Kratz took over the first half.
Kratz added touchdown runs of 1, 4 and 12 yards, growing the Tanagers’ lead to 28-6 by halftime. The senior quarterback finished his night with 55 yards on 6-of-8 passing, adding his four scores and 80 yards on the ground on 11 attempts.
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Neither team was able to break through in the second half, though there were opportunities on both sides. Vermillion fumbled twice deep in Cub territory which kept Chamberlain from feeling truly out of it, but the Cubs were unable to mount scoring drives of their own.
Soulek went 5-of-16 passing for 63 yards with one touchdown and one interception, adding 48 yards on nine rushing attempts. Noah Hutmacher also had 42 yards rushing for the Cubs (0-2), who are at Dell Rapids next week. Vermillion (2-0) hosts Madison in its home-opener on Sept. 10.
