October 28, 2009

Wolves sink Lakers 21-12

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

With a 21-12 win over Des Lacs-Burlington, undefeated Watford City is one step closer to earning a trip to the State Class A Football Championship game. But if the Wolves’ dreams are going to materialize, they will need to win two more games. And up next for Watford City, with a 9-0 season record, will be Williams County, the No. 2-ranked team from Region 3. The Storm, who are 8-2 on the season, defeated New Salem 21-0 in last Saturday’s playoff game.
Against the Lakers, the Wolves got on the scoreboard first when Brady Lund scampered 40 yards on a counter play in the first quarter with Kalin Mogen kicking the PAT.
Watford City then went to the air for a touchdown in the second quarter as Tyler Flatland hauled in a 49-yard pass from Trey Jacobson with Mogen kicking the PAT to put the Wolves on top 14-0 at halftime.
Watford City’s defense held the  Lakers’ offense in check in the first half as the Wolves held Des Lacs-Burlington to minus 25 rushing yards and just 13 passing yards in the first half.
Watford City, according to Fred Fridley, Wolves head coach, hurt themselves with two penalties and an interception to start the second half. The miscues allowed DLB to score their only touchdown in the third quarter to pull to within eight points, 14-6, at the end of the third quarter.
 But Watford City responded quickly as on their next possession, the Wolves capped off a 67-yard scoring drive with Jacobson and Flatland hooking up on an eight-yard pass in the end zone. Mogen remained perfect on the PATs to put the Wolves up 21-6.
DLB came back with their only good drive of the game and scored with about two and one-half minutes left to make it 21-12.
DLB then tried an onside kick, but the Wolves got the ball back after a Laker player illegally touched the ball.
In spite of wet and slippery field conditions, Watford City’s rushing game came up big for the Wolves with 255 yards rushing, with Brady Lund piling up 159 yards on 30 carries. Trey Jacobson completed five of 11 passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns.
“In the second half we did a nice job of controlling the ball,” stated Fridley. “But you have to give DLB a lot of credit. They played a very solid game and made us work for everything we got.”
 In the upcoming quarterfinal game on Saturday, the Wolves will host Williams County at 2 p.m. at Fridley Field.
“Williams County brings in a strong running game and a defense that will be the best we faced this year,” states Fridley.
In other Class A action between Regions 3 and 4, Harvey travels to Velva.
Individual Statistics:
Rushing: Brady Lund, 30-159 yards; Trey Jacobson, 10-48 yards;  Derek Thompson, 4-31 yards; Nick Liebel, 4-17 yards.
Passing: Trey Jacobson, 5 of 11 for 93 yards.
Receiving: Tyler Flatland, 3-68 yards; Shawn Fulwider, 1-12 yards; Nick Liebel, 1-13 yards.
Fumble Recoveries: Trey Jacobson, 1; Shawn Fulwider, 1.
Defensive Points: Cody Fisketjon, 35; Trey Jacobson, 25; Kalin Mogen, 22; Karson Knudtson, 18; Shawn Fulwider, 18; Ben Haugeberg, 17; Douglas Nordby, 16; Derek Thompson, 13; Tyler Flatland, 12; Adam Brenna, 10; Nick Liebel, 7; Nolan Kalberer, 5; Brady Lund, 4; Blake Wold, 2; Clay Billing, 1.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER