SALEM – The Flandreau Fliers football team shut out the McCook Central/Montrose Fighting Cougars in the first game of the season, 14-0.
“Our defense really showed what we were made of this week,” said Head Coach Josh Edlund.
Paul Parsley had a big defensive night with five tackles and three interceptions, one of which he took back for a 12-yard touchdown.
On offense Karter Headrick gained 88 yards and a 6-yard touchdown on the ground from 30 carries. Parsley had 41 yards on the ground off six keepers.
“Our offense drove the field and controlled the ball.  The line worked really hard and had to adjust to some things we had not seen on film yet,” said Edlund.

The Fliers took the opening kickoff and went four and out, but the Cougars fumbled on their second play of the game giving the Fliers the ball on their own 49 yard line.
Flandreau worked their way over those 51 yards before Headrick pushed through for the six yard score with 3:24 remaining in the first quarter. Xavier Bien’s extra point kick went through the goal posts to give the Fliers the 7-0 lead.
Neither team moved the ball across the goal line early in the second quarter. With the ball placed about  one and a half yards from the goal line, McCook Central/Montrose kept the Fliers from scoring and took over at their own four, only to be picked off by Parsley for the 12 yard pick six with 4:57 left in the half. Bien’s kick again soared through the goal posts to give the Fliers the 14-0 lead and eventual win.
In the third period, the Fliers made it down to the Cougars’ 14, but a Bien field goal attempt went with the wind and was wide left.
Late in the game, Parsley got his third interception stopping the Cougars on third and one at the Flier 25 to seal the win.
“Winning the turnover battle is huge each game and we did more than that,” said Edlund. Also on defense, Kody Kneebone had an interception.
Ben Ballard had seven tackles, to lead the team, and Justin Klein made three tackles with a sack.
Parsley, at quarterback, was 7-for-14 through the air and had 70 passing yards. Kneebone had four receptions for 40 yards, Ben Ballard caught two passes for 16 yards and Cam Flute brought down one for 14 yards.
“We played well. We have some things to work on, especially on the offensive side of the ball but this was a great game where we showed a lot of heart and grit all four quarters,” added Edlund.
Flandreau plays at Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan next week.