October 2, 2013

Wolves prove to be no match for Minot Ryan

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

In a clash between two of the top Class AA football teams in North Dakota, Minot Ryan showed why they are deserving of the No. 1 spot as the Lions crushed the Wolves, the No. 5-rated team, 40-6, on Friday evening.
The Lions used a big second quarter to score 26 points to put the game away.
Three of Minot Ryan’s second quarter scores came from favorable field position as the result of Wolves’ turnovers - a fumble, interception and a bad snap on a punt were costly mistakes. The Lions capitalized on these costly errors by Watford City to lead, 32-0, at halftime.
The Lions’ passing game was also a big factor in the win as they piled up an impressive 231yards in the air.
“We couldn’t handle their quickness,” stated Fred Fridley, Wolves’ head coach. “Their quarterback is a good player and had a good day. They’re a good team offensively.”
Watford City’s only score came in the fourth quarter on a 19-yard run around the left end by Keegan Thompson.
With the loss, the Wolves’ season record fell to 4-1 and this week, Watford City will be taking on another very tough opponent, the Bismarck St. Mary’s Saints, in Bismarck.
St. Mary’s is the No. 2-ranked team in Class AA football and Fridley says the Wolves will need to make some improvements.
“We need to regroup this week and play better. St. Mary’s is a very good football team on both sides of the ball,” states Fridley. “They are more of a running team and like to run option, so we will need to get our assignments down to stop St. Mary’s.”
And for Watford City’s offense to work, Fridley says that the Wolves’  offensive line will have to do a better job than they did against Ryan.
Friday’s game will be played at the Bismarck Community Bowl with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
                               1      2     3    4    Final
Minot Ryan           7    26    7    0    40
Watford City        0      0    0     6      6


Individual Statistics
Rushing: Brandon Allex, 9-53 yards;  Bo Cook, 12-45 yards; Keegan Thompson, 2-32 yards; Dalton Wright, 7-21 yards; Daniel Marmon, 4-7 yards.
Passing: Bo Cook, 3 of 9 for 14 yards.
Receiving: Keegan Thompson, 1-4 yards; Dalton Wright, 1-4 yards; Jonathan Dunn, 1-6 yards.
Defensive Points: Brandon Allex, 20; Beau Heiser, 17; Keegan Thompson, 14; Logan Fettig, 13; Daniel Marmon, 13; Dalton Wright, 11; Brenden Leaming, 11; Aaron Bigelow, 10; Mitchell Liebel, 8; Clay Jorgenson, 8; Derik Sivertson, 7;  Derrike Hayden, 3; Jordan Townsend, 3; Justin Schwartzenberger, 1.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER