Between the chill in the air & the ominous clouds looming overhead it was anyone's guess how the environment would be for West Fargo's homecoming game against Bismarck Legacy. Maybe the elements played into a fairly slow start to the game that both teams had, with the Bulls leading 6 - 3 after the first quarter thanks to a 70-yard opening run by Parker Nelson. But just as quickly as he broke through the line for his first score, his team started pulling away.
An interception by Austin Biwer helped get them into gear but it wasn't until Peyton Jantzi found Carson Hegerle for a long gain that they really started cooking. That catch put them ahead 12 - 3 and then Hegerle managed the kick as well, which answers the question of who could be the emergency kicker at NDSU in the future.
For the second time in as many possessions Carter Hanson got into Legacy's backfield to disrupt their attempt to milk the minutes that remained in the half, adding a TFL to his previous sack. It was a key play in continuing to keep Legacy beyond midfield while West Fargo seemed to get nothing but short fields.
So even with time winding down they were able to continue to strike after another first down run by Nelson the ball went to Dorien Tarley to make it a three score game. But even then, with less than two minutes to go, the defense managed to get a stop & the shortest field yet. A Hegerle reception at the five made it seem like a foregone conclusion but this time it was the Legacy defense that would stand up and so the teams left the field at 20 - 3.
With the rain beginning to fall at kickoff time ball security began to be a major talking-point on the sideline but Parker Nelson got the first chance to put that to bed with a 78-yard touchdown run on the second play of the drive by West Fargo.
Instead of going the predictable route of playing it safe & handing the ball off, Legacy made their biggest gains through the air, first to Weston Snyder and then on a third & long to Joey Buzalsky to get them to the 22. That helped set up a couple runs by Carl Henry & Snyder, who got his team into double-digits. They continued to build on the momentum with a fumble recovery but were stifled just beyond the red zone.
After running out the clock on the third quarter West Fargo went back to their bread & butter as Nelson got them to the 37. Shortly thereafter Caden Zepeda got the answer through the air to push his team ahead 34 - 11 with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Legacy continued to battle & 67 seconds later managed their own response after a catch & run by Buzalsky to the one. That score made it 34 - 18 but the night belonged to West Fargo's ball carriers & Parker Nelson in particular. He got them close again and then yielded the remaining yards to Dorian Tarley who got his second score of the night.
One more punt by Bismarck & it was time for the back ups to take over. On offense that finished as a turnover on downs. As for the Legacy offense, they closed out the game with a quick score but it was academic.
West Fargo 41, Legacy 25
Along with rare performance by West Fargo's running back that will be mentioned next, the win was the 200th for coach Gibson. And it just so happened to be on the night that West Fargo's hall of famers were recognized, funny how life lines up like that some times!
There are few ways better to distinguish ones self than to set a school record, which is exactly what the latest choice did with 273 yards while scoring twice.
Parker Nelson
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