The Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Thunder Football team is in a bit of a rebuilding season with a new head coach and almost no returning players from last season. Even in rebuilding mode, the Thunder shot out of the gates starting the season 1-0 with a convincing 40-19 road victory against Minnesota State-Fergus Falls.
In their season-opening win the Thunder produced nearly 500 total yards of offense, displaying a well-balanced rushing and passing attack.Perhaps the biggest highlight from the first game, as well as the season thus far, has been the strong and accurate leg of Thunder punter, Dalton Bryant (Hinesville, Georgia), who was named Special Teams Player of the Week in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference Eastern Division for his outstanding Week One performance. Bryant has a total of 37 punts on the year through 6 games and is averaging nearly 40 yards per punt. He has pinned opposing offenses inside their own 20-yard line 12 times and has produced a long punt of 54 yards. He is without a doubt “a serious weapon” according to first-year Thunder Head Coach Terry Fawcett.
Although the season started out strong for the Thunder, weeks two through six would not hold the same fortune. The Thunder have dropped their last five games, four home and one away, with the offense struggling mightily. In their five games after the opening week victory the Thunder have been outscored by opponents 157-50.
The game scores may not reflect it, but the Thunder defense has played well. The Thunder’s defensive unit has kept the Thunder in every game until fatigue sets in. With the Thunder offense struggling to sustain offensive drives, the Thunder defense isn’t given much time to rest on the sidelines, leading to second half breakdowns from being on the field.
The Thunder defense is led by strong play from leading tackler Jeff Andrew, leading pass rusher Damon Garner, and leading defensive back Ja’Paul Sinkfield.
As this article was posted online, the Thunder have two games left in the season, both away. On Saturday, October 8, they travel to Grand Rapids to take on Itasca Community College. Then the following Saturday, October 15, the Thunder travel to Worthington to face Minnesota West Community College for the final game of the season.
After four consecutive seasons of earning post-season playoff berths, the Thunder’s streak will end this season.
– By Jon Becker, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Student

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