After starting the season 0-3, the Bulldogs used tough defense and a solid running game to win their first game and earned a tough district win.

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Quarterback Tyler Candor got the scoring started in the second quarter by tossing a 10-yard touchdown pass to Pat Rosacker to put Le Mars up 6-0.

However, the Monarchs answered just before halftime with a touchdown pass of their own as quarterback Brandon Scherff hooked up with Jake Feller for a 24-yard score to even the game. Unfortunately for Le Mars, Feller also added a point after to put D-S up 7-6 at halftime.

But it was the running game in the second half that put the 'Dogs up for good as Levi Price got loose for a eight-yard scamper that put Le Mars ahead 12-7.

The Bulldogs managed 17 first downs while rushing for 278 yards and passing for 17. Defensively, the stout Le Mars defense allowed just 162 yards of offense.

Price had a huge day for Bulldogs with 21-carry effort as he managed 128 yards on the ground, good enough for a 6.1 average. However, teammate Tyler Bohlke was able to average 7.7 yards a carry after rushing 10 times for 77 yards. Candor added 58 yards on 17 carries.

"We took Levi off of defense so he could focus on offense and he really came through for us," said coach Jim Boyd. "The right side of the line did a really nice job for us. It always goes back to the line. If we don't have our line play intact, you don't move the ball very well."

"We just have to challenge them. If we're going to have success, we have to do it up front and those guys responded well," Boyd continued. "We just ran inside. We can every option you can think of with T.C. (Tyler Candor). We just did well in that aspect."

Candor was 1-3 passing for 10 yards and a score. Sophomore Scott Borchers completed three passes for seven yards.

Rosacker was the team's leading receiver with two catches for 19 yards and a score.

Defensively, Rosacker was a force to be reckoned with as he recorded six total tackles - three unassisted. Linebacker Spencer Vore was able to record six stops while Ryan Baue had 3.5 tackles.

Bohlke added 2.5 tackles and teammate Jared Riedemann had two including a sack.

"It was a total team effort," said Boyd. "We have to give a lot of credit to that defense. We had a lot of gives because they dropped the ball so defensively we stopped the run effectively. We just played extremely good defense."

Up next for the 1-3 Bulldogs will be Storm Lake who comes to Le Mars for the team's homecoming game. The Tornadoes are coming off of 26-6 beating at the hands of Spencer this past Friday."

"Everyone is a formidable opponent. They're all really good teams and you have to bring your "A" game," said Boyd.

"But I think we took a giant step this week. We found out we could do it and the kids are starting to believe. That was our goal this week - to make the kids believe - and I think we're on our way."