The United South Central defense continued to have a devastating effect on opponents Friday as it came up with three interceptions and held Minnesota Valley Lutheran to 112 yards of total offense in a 27-12 win in Wells.

The Rebels (6-1, 5-1 Gopher Valley AA) moved one step closer to securing a share of the conference title and locking up the No. 1 seed for the section playoffs.

Zack Wigern intercepted two passes and Eric Lackey added a third for the USC defense, which also recorded five sacks against the Chargers. Minnesota Valley Lutheran (3-4, 3-3 Gopher Valley AA) scored on one offensive possession, the other touchdown came on a 92-yard kickoff return to start the second half.

Riley Swearingen threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, including a 58-yard dash before the end of the first half to put the Rebels up 21-7. Swearingen threw for 107 yards and ran for 118, as USC put up 325 yards of total offense.

Matthew Wood had his first rushing touchdown of the season in the first quarter and Eric Lackey and Kyle Bauman each caught touchdown passes for the Rebels.

The Rebels completed the regular season with an undefeated record at home and are still confident following their upset victory of Waterville-Elysian-Morristown.

USC heads to New Richland Thursday to face the Panthers. A Rebel win would mean the conference championship and the No. 1 seed in the section playoffs.

“It’s going to be a tough one,” said USC head coach Brad Huse.

NRHEG defeated Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop 42-6 Thursday in New Richland.

USC 27, MVL 12

MVL 6 0 6 0 — 12

USC 7 14 0 6 — 27

First Quarter

USC—Wood 7 run (Dreyer kick).

MVL—Compart 21 pass from Evers (kick failed).

Second Quarter

USC—Lackey 37 pass from Swearingen (Dreyer kick).

USC—Swearingen 58 run (Dreyer kick).

Third Quarter

MVL—Evers 92 kickoff return (kick failed).

Fourth Quarter

USC—Bauman 20 pass from Swearingen (kick failed).

MVL USC

First downs 9 8

Total Net Yards 112 325

Rushes-Yards 33 218

Passing 79 107

Punt Returns 1-14 2-29

Punts 5-85 5-171

Kickoff Returns 4-63 2-21

Interceptions-Ret. 0-0 3-0

Comp-Att-Int 5-14-3 4-10-0

Sacked-Yard lost 5-NA 0-0

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-2

Penalties-Yards NA NA

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—USC, Swearingen 17-118, Wood 15-62, Morton 11-38.

PASSING—USC, Swearingen 4-10-0-107. MVL, Evers 5-14-3-79.

RECEIVING—USC, Bauman 2-72, Lackey 1-37, Wood 1-(minus 2). MVL, Compart 2-27, Hoffman 2-52.