Aug 24

Opening 24/25

A season, a game & a single possession can have highs and lows which the teams have to overcome. It's part of what has made football the most popular game in our nation. And the unpredictability may never be higher than in the opening contest.

On the first Friday night of games in North Dakota perennial power Bismarck Century was on the South end of town to face number-four-ranked Davies.

The Patriots opened with two ball-control possessions that would have shortened the game considerably if sustained while the Eagles had a quick three and out. The only way it would have been better for coach Wingenbach is if they got a 14-0 lead out of the effort.

But still at 0-0, Davies flipped the momentum in their favor as Kane Mathiason made a 57-yard house call after Century's second punt.

That spark grew as the Eagle defense forced a third-straight kick-away and Malachi Werremeyer began to make his impression on the young season. His fifth carry of the drive added six points to the lead and multiplied the pressure on the far sideline by at least that much.

Just three plays later Century quarterback Noah Herr connected with Zavion Harildstad, who in turn galloped away from all 11 would-be tacklers as though he was on horseback. The ebb & flow continued as Davies wore-down the clock but were stymied for four downs just inside their red zone. With time and distance against them, BC and Davies finished out the half each attempting long-distance plays but none worked out in their favor.

Thanks to a deferred option decision Davies got the ball out of the break and showed no brakes to what they had been getting during the first half. Five more carries by Werremeyer filled-out their seven-play drive to make it 21-7 just past the nine-minute mark.

As they did following the first 14-point deficit, Century responded with it's own drive, covering 65 yards and taking up nearly five minutes of the game as their do-it-all running back, Jerys Burckhard, hit pay-dirt. The Pats revolution was enhanced as they forced a turnover on downs but as they final quarter got under way they were forced to punt once again.

It would be the last, best chance for the visitors as Davies proceeded to go on an 11-play march, taking nearly half of the quarter and concluding with Xavier Muse doubling the advantage for his team once more.

Now forced to go out of character, BC finished with a TOD and Malachi Weremeyer putting the finishing touch on the evening moments later as the highs and lows of the game were epitomized.