The Southland football team dodged a bullet as it survived with a 17-14 win in Chatfield (2-3 overall) Friday.

Chatfield scored two touchdowns in the last eight minutes and Southland had to break up a deep pass at the end of the game to seal the road win.

“It was a great win,” Southland head coach Shawn Kennedy said. “We were able to play in a close game and we came out on top. Chatfield is a phenomenal team; they’re big and fast.”

The Rebels (5-0 overall, 5-0 Three Rivers) took a 17-0 lead when Lee DeHough booted field goal early in the third quarter, but penalties caught up to Southland as its offense went downhill in the second frame.

The Rebels had 10 penalties on the night.

“We almost gave it away,” Kennedy said. “But Lee DeHough did a great job in making a field goal and two extra points. Those are the type of plays we need to make, so we can avoid mistakes.”

Mike Goergen and Tyler Kressin each ran for first half touchdowns for Southland.

STATS

Southland rushing: Ben Wolterman, 11-for-46; Nick Schmitz, 8-for-45; Mike Goergen, 11-for-40, TD; Tyler Kressin, 9-for-18, TD; Decker Bendtsen, 7-for-15

Southland passing: Bendtsen, 2-for-7, 14