The Patriots drew first blood in the second half, but that score was answered by the Rebels, and it was 21-7 for D-G-F after three quarters.

The determined Patriots then came back in the final 7:30 of the game to score twice to pull to within 21-20 with the final TD coming on a 47-yard Jeff Redmond to Nic Johnsen pass with under a minute remaining in regulation play. Louie Farone kicked the point after on the first two scores and Coach Chip Lohmiller opted to go for the tie, but the kick was no good and the Rebels had a one-point win over the upset-minded Patriots.

"It was a tough loss," Lohmiller said. "We had a great second half."

To start the game, the Patriots kicked off and their defense forced the Rebels to a four and out.

After receiving the kickoff the Patriots were penalized five yards and started at their own nine.

The Patriots then got five yards by Chase Mason, seven by Matt Michaelson for a first down and another five by Cody Chambers, but the Patriots would turn the ball over at their own 30 with a fumble.

This time the Rebels weren't to be denied, as quarterback Cody Berge handed off to Cole Crabtree and he went right over the right side for 30 yards and the score, and Eric Gilles kicked the point for a 7-0 lead.

Early in the second quarter the Rebels faced a 4th and two situation and went for the first down and got it near midfield.

Then behind the running of Taylor Yliniemi the Rebels got it to the one, where Axelson went right up the middle to score and Gilles kicked the point for a 14-0 Rebel lead, which it was at the half.

Chambers recovers fumble to start Patriots' drive

With 10:19 left in the third quarter, Cody Chambers recovered a Rebels' fumble at the D-G-F 25.

A face mask penalty on the Rebels moved it to the 14 where Michaelson carried the ball to the six and on the next play went over for the score behind center Casey Derksen.

Farone kicked the extra point and the Patriots were quickly within 14-7.

However, the Rebels took the kickoff and started at their own 37. They converted one fourth-down play for a first down.

Askelson got another first down at the 10 and Yliniemi ran it twice to get it inside the one with 54 seconds left in the third and Axelson crashed in for the score with Gilles again booting the point and it was 21-7.

The Patriots' offense came to life in the fourth quarter and they started at their own 33 with only 7:10 left in the game.

The Patriots then mixed up the run and Redmond to Johnson passes to move the ball down field.

Johnson caught a third and 10 pass for a first down at the D-G-F 20 and after Chambers was trapped for a one-yard loss, the game combo worked again for a first and goal at the one.

From there Redmond called his own number and went in for the score with only 3:30 left in the game. Farone kicked the point and again the Patriots were within striking distance at 21-14.

Patriots' defense rises to occasion to get the ball back

The Patriots' defense then quickly rose to the occasion and stopped the Rebels to force a punt.

The Patriots started at their own 37 where Redmond went to the air with only 1:16 left.

On the first play he hit Johnsen for a first down at the D-G-F 47 where he again hit Johnsen just outside the 20 where Nic ran it in for the score down the sideline.

The extra point was partially blocked and the score remained at 21-20 in the final minute.

The Patriots tried an onside kick, but it didn't go the required distance and the Rebels took a knee a couple of plays.

Redmond completed nine passes for 131 yards with Johnsen grabbing seven for 123 and Bryan Kittleson one for eight.

Askelson carried the ball 17 times for the Rebels for 98 yards, while for the Patriots, Michaelson had eight carries for 30, Chambers five for 19 and Mason six for 13.

The Patriots will host the Pelican Rapids Vikings at 7 p.m. Friday. The Vikings' opened the season with a 34-6 loss to Perham.

Pequot Lakes 0 0 7 13 - 20

Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 7 7 7 0 - 21

First quarter

DFG - Cole Crabtree 30 run (Eric Gilles kick)

Second quarter

DGF - Zack Askelson 1 run (Gilles kick)

Third quarter

PL - Jeff Redmond 1 run (Ferone kick)

PL - Nic Johnsen 47 pass from Jeff Redmond

(kick failed)

Individual statistics

Rushing: PL-Chase Mason 6-13, Matt Michaelson 8-30, Cody Chambers 5-19, Jeff Redmond 5-(5), DGF-Zack Askelson 17-98.

Passing: PL-Redmond 9-130.

Receiving: PL-Nic Johnsen 7-123, Bryan Kittleson 1-8.

Conference: PL 0-1. Overall: PL 0-1. Next game: Pequot Lakes hosts Pelican Rapids 7 p.m. Friday.