YANKTON - The Yankton Bucks football team finally found its groove offensively against Rapid City Central, and despite some late miscues, pulled out a 34-31 victory at Crane-Youngworth Field Friday night.

The win brings the Bucks to an even 3-3 on the season. Rapid City Central drops to 1-5 with the loss.

Yankton had a 34-17 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but a fumble and an interception by the Bucks let the Cobblers hang around and make things interesting.

Yankton head coach Arlin Likness said his team needs to learn how to close out games better, but was happy with the progress the offense made after gaining 390 yards in total offense.

"Offensively, we moved the ball," Likness said. "We even moved the ball in the second half, but we just forgot to take it with us a few times."

With Chris Hubbs sitting out due to an illness, Ross Berry got the nod to start at quarterback. There were no first drive jitters for Berry and the Bucks. Niels Anderson threw the ball downfield on a halfback pass to Travis Neukirch for a 46-yard gain to Central's 6-yard line on Yankton's third play of the game. Anderson ran it in two plays later to give Yankton a

7-0 lead with 7:48 left in the first quarter.

Likness said Anderson provided an offensive spark in Hubbs' absence.

"He didn't get to play much in Aberdeen," Likness said. "Tonight he decided he wanted to play and really stepped up and did some nice things for us."

Yankton's offense looked much improved from previous games. The Bucks had 219 yards rushing and 171 yards passing.

The Cobblers had 305 yards of total offense, with 248 yards coming through the air. Will Mechling led the offense with 16-for-37 passing for 248 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.

Central is on the road again on Friday, traveling to Sioux Falls Roosevelt.