The details about the Game of the Week between .........
The reigning state champs for the highest level of football in North Dakota faced the perennial contenders not too far removed from their own championship experience. As the top two teams in the State there was plenty on the line Friday night. Add on that it was the official unveiling of their brand-new turf & homecoming for the Deacons and the stakes got that much higher!
Fittingly, they won the coin toss but deferred to the second half. That could have opened the door for Sheyenne to execute their methodical style & get the first lead of the game. Junior quarterback Kaden Olson helmed the offense to the doorstep of six points but Sam Ovsak wasn't about to let it happen as he took a pass away in the end zone!
If that didn't fully set the tone then a pitch by Landon Meier to Carson Busek, who in-turn hit Jordan Leininger streaking down the visitors side of the field for an 80-yard score, absolutely affirmed what would be required!
The statement play was followed by a pair of short possessions before Cam Ahlers recovered a Sheyenne fumble. Shanley wasn't able to capitalize but the Deacon defense was far from done as Leininger picked Olson to get Meier the ball right back!
The third turnover-generated possession ended with Sheyenne's defense making their own play as Meier was sacked to force a turnover-on-downs.
As the Mustangs ran out the remainder of the first quarter and ticking time off in the second they got back to the door step and this time Tate Herrmann was able to close on the touchdown with a two-yard plunge!
It took all of 109 game seconds for the Nascar Deacons to untie the score as Landon Meier kept it for an 18-yard touchdown! Another interception got Shanley the ball back and Meier cashed-in again with his second of the evening after just three minutes had ticked-off the clock!
In true contender fashion, Sheyenne rallied to respond before leaving the field as Barry Kpeenu carried most of the way and Olson cut the deficit to a single play!
As the winners of the coin-toss, Shanley was able to prevent the Mustangs from going back-to-back, instead pushing their lead back to two scores as Carson Busek got to celebrate in the red end. The momentum remained with the home team as they got the ball back on downs. It was then Race Wilson's time to make his presence felt, shrinking the turnover differential by 1!
The ensuing punt lead to Shanley all-but securing the win as Leininger hit pay-dirt again to make it 35-14. The final nail came moments later as Sam Ovsak took a pass 77 yards! The triple-up in the final 12 minutes was enough for Troy Mattern's operation to take the foot off the gas.
Shanley 42, Sheyenne 14
The West will have something to say about it before the playoff is complete but it was a showcase that even with all the departures from their championship team, Shanley is every bit the top team in the state.
Much of the credit goes to his arsenal but the winning quarterback blocked-out all the noise, brushed-off the pressure and got the job done. Rare will be the times when that isn't Player of the Game worthy!
Landon Meier
Click the pic to see the game gallery
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