ALCESTER — Darin Dykstra had quite the start to his senior season for Alcester-Hudson.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound running back played the biggest role in the Cubs’ stunning season opening victory over preseason No. 1 Howard, 40-29, last Friday in Alcester.

“Howard is a disciplined team, we were told that repeatedly,” Dykstra said. “It’s not something where you get these huge plays, it’s just consistent plays that you need to get done.”

It was a score that completely flipped on its head compared to last season’s opener with Howard, a 45-8 win for the Tigers, but this year was a different outcome with two vastly different teams and the Cubs liked their odds this time around.

“We knew they had lost a few of their good seniors and we were feeling pretty confident, pretty strong,” Dykstra said. “It was a home game so we could defend our home field.”

And AH head coach Brian Haak knew what to expect when it came to the perennial nine-man football power, a powerful running game with physical defense.

“The first game it’s one of things where you don’t know 100% what to expect with your kids and their kids but we knew pretty much what they’re going to do, it’s Pat’s (Ruml) program,” Haak said of Howard. “He is pretty consistent with what he does and how he handles things.”

But the X-factor in the win last Friday was Dykstra who scored on over a third of his carries, rushing 14 times for 180 yards and five touchdowns. Dykstra also caught two passes for 19 yards and two-point conversion as well.

Alcester-Hudson's Ethan Brown (42) lifts up Darin Dykstra (21) after scoring a touchdown in the Cubs' 40-29 victory over Howard on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Alcester. (Courtesy Photo / Karla Bovill Photos)

This was Dykstra’s first opportunity to be the lead back for the Cubs’ offense in his senior season after being behind seniors Evan Brown and Jose Topete-Lopez last year. And he made the most of his first chance as the premier back.

“It means a lot,” Dykstra said of his performance. “I always wanted to get out there and the running backs last year were good. Jose Topete-Lopez and Evan Brown, they were really good running backs. But I feel like this chance as a senior to let me show what I’m capable of, I think that really helped.”

His stellar performance last Friday started in the second quarter scoring his first of five touchdowns from 18-yards out. With the help of a Howard turnover and another touchdown drive, the Cubs went into half with a two-score lead against the defending champs, but the Tigers weren’t going away that easy.

Howard outscored AH 15-6 in the third quarter to cut the Cubs’ leads to just three points.

“The determination, just sticking with it,” Dykstra said on the biggest key in the win. “We lost it a little bit in the third quarter, let up a few big plays, but just the constant pressure and not letting them get a break in. Not letting them get a breath in.”

In the fourth quarter, Dykstra took over. The senior back scored three touchdowns and one two-point conversion to cap off a 22-point fourth quarter. Dykstra’s 39-yard score late pushed the lead to double digits and clinched the win.

“We ran the same plays throughout the full game, they were just getting tired,” Dykstra said. “Obviously I couldn’t have done it without the blocking. We just kept running them down and then eventually it just broke free.”

With a win against the defending champs in the books, it sets the tone for the rising Cubs for the rest of the season facing a schedule that includes Class 9AA powers Viborg-Hurley and Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy, as well as Dell Rapids St. Mary, a top-five team in 9B.

“Beating the state champs last year and getting that 40-29 win, I think that is really going to help us with motivation,” Dykstra said. “Obviously we can’t take anything off, but it’s certainly going to add some confidence.”

And it will certainly spark a flame for the Cubs offense watching their senior running back make big plays against a top-team in the class.

“Darin has worked really hard to prepare for his senior year and that kind of paid off on Friday night,” Haak said. “In the weight room and out for track and training, stuff like that. He was ready for the game.”

The Class 9A No. 4 Cubs are back in action this Friday at Class 9A No. 5 Centerville at 7 p.m.