ELKTON – The Baltic Bulldogs beat the Elkton-Lake Benton Elks 40-6 in the first game of the season.

The Bulldogs were led by quarterback Zach Pulzen who ran 122 yards on 14 carries and had three total touchdowns.

With 8:28 left in the first quarter Alex Haagenson scored on a 34-yard run. Pulzen then had a 15-yard touchdown run with 5:38 left in the first quarter to make it 14-0. Pulzen capped off the next drive with a 15-yard run and Avery Norby scored on a one-yard run to make it 27-0 after the first quarter.

The Bulldogs added to their lead in the second quarter when Brandon Allen scored on a 1-yard run with 5:28 left in the half. Baltic made it 40-0 just before the first half ended when Pulzen threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Brodee Teveldal.

The Elks shutout the Bulldogs in the second half, but were unable to put points on the board until there was 12 seconds left in the game. Matthew Nibbe threw a 32-yard touchdown to Riley Hunter.

Grant DeRuider led the Elks with 12 tackles. Nibbe and Alex Landsman had 10 tackles each.

The Bulldogs are off next week and then host Deubrook Area on Sept. 6. The Elks will play at Parker next Friday.

• Parker 28, Arlington/Lake Preston 26

LAKE PRESTON – Tanner Even scored four touchdowns to help the Pheasants rally past the Badgers in a season-opening matchup.

Even racked up 229 yards on 35 carries.

He scored on a 22-yard rush in the fourth quarter and Parker converted the two-point conversion to take a 28-26 lead.

ALP’s Gavin Holland ran 16 times for 191 yards and found the end zone a trio of times.

Holland had TD runs of 15 and 50 yards in the first quarter and 75 yards in the second as the Badgers moved ahead 20-0.

Even’s 1-yard plunge pulled the visitors within 20-6 at halftime. Even had another 1-yarder in the third and later scored on a 30-yard rush to knot things up at 20-all heading to the fourth.

Jasper Denison hit Tate Larsen for a touchdown toss in the final stanza to put the home team ahead 26-20.

Denison finished 4-of-6 for 55 yards.

Parker is host to ELB and ALP travels to Viborg-Hurley next week.