Survive and Advance: The Dundy County Stratton Tigers Get Redemption, Move on in Class D3 Playoffs
On Friday, October 30, 2026, the first round of the Class D3 Playoffs began as #6 seed Dundy County Stratton hosted #11 seed Brady. This was a rematch from earlier this season as Brady defeated the Tigers 62-14 on September 18th.
ADVERTISEMENTS
Early in the game, after a long drive, Cinch Sanger of Brady scored the touchdown from 33 yards away with 8:27 to go in the first. The two-point conversion was good, and Brady led 8-0.
After Brady failed a 4th-and-18 attempt on their own side of the field, Dundy County Stratton took over. Noah Zoltenko ran it in from about 25 yards away for a score. The two-point conversion was good, and it was tied at 8 with 3:35 to go in the first quarter.
We went to the second quarter tied at 8-8.
Early in the second quarter, the teams kept trading the ball back and forth because they couldn't convert on fourth-down situations.
The Tigers answered with another big touchdown run by Noah Zoltenko, this time from 33 yards out. The two-point conversion was good, and it was 16-8 with 7:41 to go in the half.
On the next kickoff, the Tigers attempted an onside kick, but the Eagles recovered it near midfield. And the very next play, Cinch Sanger ran it in from 41 yards away. The two-point conversion was good, and we were tied at 16-16 with 7:33 to go in the half.
DCS answered on a 27-yard pass from Trynt Unger to Tagen Yrkoski. The conversion was no good, and it was 22-16 with 5:35 to go in the half.
DCS led at the half 22-16.
ADVERTISEMENTS
Out of the half, on the first play from scrimmage, Noah Zoltenko took it 65 yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, and it was 28-16 with 11:49 to go in the third quarter.
Brady countered with a score of their own as it was Payton Miller who ran it in from just outside the 5-yard line. The two-point conversion was good, and it was 28-24 about halfway through the quarter.
Late in the third quarter, the Eagles drove to the Dundy County Stratton 4-yard line. On a fourth-down attempt, they fumbled the football, and the Tigers took over on their own one-yard line.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Tigers held a narrow 28-24 lead.
ADVERTISEMENTS
The Tigers scored again early in the quarter, as it was Zoltenko once again, this time from 58 yards away. The two-point conversion failed, and it was 34-24 with 10:43 to go.
The Eagles scored on their next possession on a fourth-and-one run from 53 yards out as Cinch Sanger ran it in after breaking a number of tackles. The two-point conversion failed, and with 8:40 remaining, it was 34-30.
The Tigers answered right back as Trynt Unger ran it in from 52 yards away. The two-point conversion attempt failed, and it was 40-30 with 8:22 to go in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles also scored when Payton Miller ran it in from 32 yards away. The two-point conversion failed, and it was 40-36 with 7:11 remaining.
On the next possession, the Tigers scored again; this time it was Trynt Unger from just outside the 20-yard line. The two-point conversion failed, and it was 46-36 with 4:36 to go.
Brady scored on their next possession as well, with Payton Miller scoring from near midfield.
The two-point conversion was no good, and it was 46-42 with under 4:00 to go.
Brady got the ball down to the Dundy County Stratton 20-yard line. Then on a rollout to the left, the Eagles threw an interception as Trynt Younger picked it off.
A couple of knees later, Dundy County Stratton won, 46-42.
We chatted with Trynt Unger after the win. Interviews are brought to you by Acme Printing Company.
Check out the highlights from the game brought to you by Prairie Girl Candle Company.
Brady ends their season with a record of 8-2.
Dundy County Stratton improves to 7-2 and will face #3 Archangels Catholic on Friday, November 6th.
Like the coverage that RPAC Rundown provides? Leave us a tip or contribution through Venmo! Don't have Venmo? Reach out to us on social media or email us at admin@rpacrundown.com to contribute.
By contributing, you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.
