ARMSTRONG — Unanswered fourth-quarter points killed the Warriors.

The Bishop Garrigan Bears beat North Union 12-6 in an Iowa Class A district matchup Friday night in Armstrong.

Running back Preston Kohlhaas carried the load for the Bears, rushing 22 times for 85 yards, but it was replacement quarterback Brad Capesius who pushed the ball across the goal line.

On both of Bishop Garrigan’s scoring drives, long running plays set up a goal-line situation.

Down 6-0, Kohlhaas had four carries for 11 yards and Eric Thul had five for 43 — including a 26-yard run where Thul was tackled at the Warriors’ 1-yard line. Brad Capesius lined up under center and followed his blockers over the goal line to tie the game at 6 with 5:42 left.

The Bears scored again on the following drive. This time, it was Capesius’ 31-yard scamper on a read option that gave the Bears a first-and-goal from the 10.

Thul had a 2-yard carry and Kohlhaas carried five yards to the 3. Thul followed with another 2-yarder to put the Bears in a fourth-and-goal situation from the Warriors’ 1. Capesius ran the same play as the first touchdown, lining up under center and following his blockers into the end zone to take the final 12-6 lead with 1:08 left in the game.

North Union had one last chance with two timeouts, but a John Capesius interception gave the Bears the ball back and they were able to kneel the game out.

Warriors head coach Matt Ernster said he couldn’t be more proud of the way his team played against the undefeated leaders of the district.

“I’m extremely proud of them, it was a gutsy effort,” Ernster said. “We knew it was a tough task. All week coming in we talked about needing to play about as perfect as we could. For us to hang in there and have a chance to win in the end and really have them on the ropes in the fourth quarter, it speaks volumes about the work our kids have put in.”

The lone Warriors touchdown came after a Avery Krantz fumble recovery in the third quarter.

Krantz’s recovery put the Warriors at their own 37 to start the drive.

Isaac Engeman carried the ball three times for 23 yards on the drive — part of his 20 carry for 110-yard day — and completed three pass, two to Elliott Hagebock for 22 yards to help set up the 17-yard touchdown pass to Brendan Anderson.

From the Bears’ 17, Engeman scrambled left and found Anderson down the left sideline in the end zone for the score.

Engeman was 11-for-26 passing for 134 yards and one TD, while throwing three interceptions. He led the team in rushing as well.

Ryan Lang carried the ball 10 times for 31 yards for the Warriors, while Hagebock caught six passes for 90 yards and Anderson caught three for 36 yards and the lone TD.

Krantz and RJ Hargrove both recovered fumbles for the Warriors’ defense.

“We’ve had a lot of really good games, tough games, some tough losses, but we’re a good team and we just need to close some of these out,” Ernster said.

North Union (2-5) plays host to Belmond-Klemme next Friday.

Bishop Garrigan (7-0) faces West Fork at home next Friday.

BG 0 0 0 12 — 12

NU 0 0 6 0 — 6

Scoring Plays

3rd Quarter

NU — Brendan Anderson 17 pass from Isaac Engeman (run failed) 3:58

4th Quarter

BG — Brad Capesius 1 run (run failed) 5:42

BG — Brad Capesius 1 run (run failed) 1:08

TEAM STATISTICS

First Downs: BG 15, NU 14. Passing (Completions-Attempts-Interceptions-Yards): BG 1-5-0-19; NU 11-26-3-134. Rushing (Attempts-Yards) BG 55-224; NU 30-141. Fumbles-Lost: BG 2-2; NU 0-0. Penalties: BG 1-15; NU 4-40.

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Offense: Passing: Issac Engeman (NU) 11-26-3-134. Rushing: Isaac Engeman (NU) 20-110, Ryan Lang (NU) 10-31, Preston Kohlhaas (BG) 22-85, Eric Thul (BG) 13-65, Brad Capesius 10-35, Sam Vaske (BG) 5-25. Receiving: Elliott Hagebock (NU) 6-90, Brendan Anderson 3-36.

Defense: Fumble Recoveries: RJ Hargrove (NU), Avery Krantz (NU). Interceptions: Gabe Trainer (BG), Caden Berte (BG), John Capesius (BG).

Luverne 27, Blue Earth Area 0 — The Cardinals shut out the Bucs, 20-0, in Luverne on Friday night.

No individual or team stats were reported.

Blue Earth Area (2-4) travels to Pipestone Area next Friday.

Madelia 28, GHEC/Truman 6 — The Blackhawks took their second game of the season against the Jaguars by 22 points in Madelia Friday night.

No individual or team stats were reported.

Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman (0-6) plays host to Nicollet next Friday in Truman.

Pipestone 47, Martin County West 7 — The Arrows ran over the Mavericks Friday night in Trimont.

No individual or team stats were reported.

Martin County West (1-5) travels to Luverne next Friday.