Orioles shut out Tri-Valley 39-0 on Military Appreciation Night
The Lennox High School football team celebrated Military Appreciation Night with a dominant 39-0 victory over Tri-Valley on Friday, Sept. 11, at the Sinning Sports Complex.
The game was interrupted by lightning and rain midway through the second quarter, forcing players and fans to wait more than an hour before play resumed at 9:15 p.m. The weather delay did little to slow the Orioles, who continued to control the game on both sides of the ball.
Lennox built a 12-0 lead during the first quarter. Cayden Huls opened the scoring with an 8-yard touchdown run, although the two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful. Huls then connected with Bennett Hanssen on a 20-yard touchdown pass to give the Orioles a 12-0 advantage.
Lennox added two more touchdowns before halftime. Levi Simonsen scored on a three-yard run. The successful two-point conversion made it 20-0. Huls then found Brennen Juffer for a 16-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was unsuccessful, leaving Lennox with a 26-0 lead at the half.
The Orioles continued their strong defensive performance in the second half while adding two more touchdowns. Leif Karlson caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Huls, with the successful extra point giving the Orioles a 33-0 advantage.
Hanssen added his second touchdown of the night on a 22-yard run. The extra point was unsuccessful, bringing the final score to 39-0.
Lennox’s offense finished with 434 total yards, including 312 rushing yards and 122 passing yards. The Orioles recorded 25 first downs and converted 6 of 11 third-down attempts.
“It was another great example of our players playing for one another and doing their jobs as a team,” LHS head coach Shawn Flanagan said of the win.
Shayden Olean led the Lennox rushing attack with 162 yards on 25 carries. Hanssen added 90 yards on 11 carries, while Huls rushed for 29 yards and a touchdown. Nolyn Spielman contributed 27 yards on seven carries, and Simonsen scored on his lone rushing attempt.
Huls completed 11 of 19 passes for 122 yards and three touchdowns. Drake Mikkelsen led Lennox receivers with three catches for 53 yards. Juffer caught two passes for 36 yards and a touchdown, while Hanssen had one reception for 20 yards and a touchdown.
The Lennox defense held Tri-Valley to -2 rushing yards. Spielman and Karlson led the Orioles defensively. Spielman had nine tackles and three sacks while Karlson recorded seven tackles and four sacks. Ben Heibult added four tackles and recorded two sacks.
Mikkelsen also recorded an interception for the Lennox defense.
While the victory on the field was impressive, the evening’s focus extended beyond football as the Lennox community came together to honor military members and veterans and recognize the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Flanagan said the team’s biggest takeaway from the night was seeing the community come together in support of veterans.
“The biggest victory was seeing our players, families, school and community come together to honor our veterans, support a local organization and give back to the people who support us all year long,” Flanagan added.
Through Military Appreciation shirt sales, support from the Christiansen, Buse, Karlson, Loewe and Crevier families, and additional community donations, more than $2,200 was donated to Warriors Never Give Up, a local organization that supports veterans.
The day before the game, Lennox football players also served a meal to local veterans and their families, giving the players an opportunity to show their appreciation through service.
The Orioles will take on Canton in the Black and Blue Bowl and 2026 Homecoming match-up this Friday, Sept. 18. Canton brings a 3-0 record, recording wins over Vermillion (21-7), Dakota Valley (32-22) and Dell Rapids (28-21)
Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Sinning Sports Complex.