September 1
Morris, MN--A young Viking volleyball team with a new coach made a stride forward Wednesday in non-conference play.Valley City State University, playing their first non-tournament match of the season, rallied to defeat a quality University of Minnesota-Morris Cougar team 3-1 (22-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-19) in Morris.
After a 1-6 start in tournaments a long way from home, the Vikings dropped the first set of the first non-tourney style match of the season, but found a way to stiffen and turn away Morris in extra points in the second, before playing with clear separation from the Cougars the rest of the way.
Mardee Lander (Jr., Rouleau, SK) led the defensive effort with 26 digs, while Rebekeh Depesa (Jr., Phoeniz, AZ) knocked down 16 kills and added 16 digs to the effort.
The Vikings fought off two moments when the match could have turned.
After dropping the first set, the Vikings were on the ropes, down late in the second. They rallied to force the set to even at 23-23, then earned their first set point at 24-23. After being denied once, they put the set away at 26-24.
Leading 2-1, the fourth set started badly, with Morris building up their biggest lead of any set at 8-2. They would rally to even the set at 14-14, then streaked away from the Cougars, taking a 24-18 lead, and setting for their second straight 25-19 win.
With head coach Susan Kolbow considering changes to turn the offense loose, Depesa's 16 kills led a balanced attack that saw Sabrina Heywood (Sr., Rouleau, SK) add 11 and Mariah Martin (Sr., Wheatland, ND) put down eight.
"I think I just have to threaten that, and then they play well," said Kolbow after the match. "This is probably the best our offense has played in the preseason."
Kolbow explained how the match showed that her team is beginning to take to her style.
"We're finally getting our middles in, and they're an option off of transition. Before, they were late getting off the net, and they weren't getting any sets because they weren't available. Middles really came through this match," Kolbow said.
Kolbow recognized the defense as well. "We're starting to get to our spots before the hitter contacts the ball, and we've been working really hard on that. I think those two areas really showed tonight."
The Vikings are 2-6 overall, and travel to the University of Sioux Falls for a tournament featuring half of the Dakota Athletic Conference and many schools in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. The home opener for the Vikings is set for September 14th, when they host Trinity Bible College.
September 1
Valley City--A match the Hi-Liner tennis team thought they would match up well in landed with a thud yesterday.
The Hi-Liners were defeated by Wahpeton 8-1 in their latest Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC) matchup. Valley City won just one match at #2 doubles.
All three doubles matches went to the super-tiebreak, and the two that were lost by the Hi-Liners both went extra points in the tiebreaker. Brian Tykwinski and Shane Berntson lost their tiebreak 11-9, and Cody Schmidt and Josh Gilbertson lost their's 12-10.
The singles matches, however, were disappointing. Wahpeton swept the Hi-Liners, with Derek Reimers the only player to claim a set in the singles matches.
"In singles, Wahpeton did not win them, we lost them. Wahpeton does nothing special. They just get the ball back in the court and wait for their opponents to make the mistake. Yesterday, we obliged," said head coach Matt Nielson.
The Hi-Liners continue their EDC season Tuesday at West Fargo.
August 31
Valley City--The Hi-Liner volleyball team learned a tremendously painful lesson Tuesday night.
That lesson has to do with the game itself. Volleyball has no clock to help your subs run out a big lead.
After taking the first two sets of the match, then building up an 11-3 lead in the third, the Hi-Liners began making substitutions that seemed to indicate they felt the match was under control.
Carrington was happy to prove them wrong.
Carrington rallied with five straight points to grab a chance at the set, and claimed it three points later. They then won seven of eight points in the fourth to turn a 16-13 deficit into a 20-17 lead, winning the set by two.
The Cardinals drove the lesson home with a sledgehammer, taking an 8-0 lead in the fifth set, clinching the match 22-25, 20-25, 27-25, 25-23, 15-8 at the Hi-Liner Activity Center.
A stunned Hi-Liner crowd watched as the momentum built by two-and-a-half solid sets melted as the lineup changed in the third. The momentum was held firmly by the Cardinals as 6'1" middle hitter Emily Thompson got hot both offensively and defensively, propelling the comeback.
Valley City used a combination of offense from Jenna Jacob and Mariah Olstad on the outside, with McKenzie Schweitzer playing well both offensively and defensively in the middle, to run out to a 2-0 lead in the match.
Jacob and Paige Brandvold each served very well, including Jacob's patented biting jump serve, throughout the match as well, moving the Hi-Liners to a big 11-3 lead in the third.
Valley City saw some chemistry breakdowns with substitutions that came after the big lead was established in the third. Still, the Hi-Liners held a lead till late.
The key substitution came with the Hi-Liners just a few points from a win. Jacob, who had been hot all evening with the jump serve, was rotating to serve, but was lifted by head coach Katy Van Dyke.
Carrington then rallied from down 24-20 to win five straight points, taking a 25-24 lead. After Valley City forced further extra points, the Cardinals took two straight to win 27-25.
Valley City tried to regroup in the fourth, with Brandvold serving up three consecutive early aces, giving Valley City a two-point edge. Schweitzer's mid-set kill took the lead to 16-13.
Carrington's big rally began right after Schweitzer's kill. Seven of the next eight points would swing the Cardinals' way, and Carrington had a 20-17 lead. After missing on two straight set points, they closed out a 25-23 win.
With the bubble burst, Carrington ran away with the fifth, taking the first eight points of the set. Jacob would serve three straight aces to bring Valley City back within 10-8, but the Cardinals took the final five points to end the match.
Carrington moves on to face Leeds Thursday night, while the Hi-Liners, now 2-5 this season, open their Eastern Dakota Conference season Thursday at Devils Lake.
By Ryan Cunningham NewsDakota.com
August 31
Valley City--Tonight is the opening night of home volleyball for the Hi-Liners.
Valley City hosts Carrington tonight in a non-conference matchup. The Hi-Liners have returned to Class "A" volleyball this season, and will play their conference games in the Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC).
The Hi-Liners maintained some scheduling with Class "B" teams, featuring Carrington, Enderlin, Maple Valley, and others.
The match begins at 7:00 p.m. KOVC-AM will have coverage of the match, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:35 p.m.
August 29
Valley City--The Vikings got more of a test in their season opener than many expected, despite what the lop-sided score would indicate.Valley City State used a burst of third quarter scoring to run by Trinity Bible College of Ellendale, ND, in the 2010 season opener at Lokken Field Saturday night 44-0.
A large, perhaps larger than expected, crowd in Valley City watched in anticipation as the Vikings walked down the field on their opening drive, then watched in some anxiety as penalties and a more effective Lions opponent prevented a runaway early.
The Vikings led just 20-0 until 2:27 left in the third, but ran the lead to 41-0 with three touchdowns that covered just 2:18 of gametime to put the game out of reach.
"It was tough to prepare our team this week," said head coach Dennis McCulloch after the matchup. "We had alumni telling players that Trinity wasn't any good, that their JV beat them by sixty and stuff. Trinity has some playmakers."
Lions quarterback Clint Linthicum (So., Poplar, MT) led an option running attack and did enough with his arm to keep the ball from the Vikings, preventing an early run away. Touchdowns by Jordan Backstrom (Jr., Maddock, ND) and A. J. Pfeifer (Jr., Buffalo, ND) gave the Vikings a 14-0 lead at the half.
Short fields were a friend of VCSU in the second half. Backstrom scored his second major on a one-play, 10-yard drive with a rush early in the third quarter. Quarterback Tommy Zinke (So., Rolla, ND) hooked up with Ken Eliacin (So., Miami, FL) on a 17-yard strike to start the key scoring run with 2:27 left of the third.
Jackyson Bazile (Jr., Naples, FL) returned an interception for touchdown a half-minute later, and Zinke connected with Pfeifer for a 35-yard strike with just nine seconds left on another short porch drive, giving the Vikings a 41-0 lead.
New kicker Dillon Davis (Fr., Cocoa Beach, FL) added a 42-yard field goal in the fourth to cap the scoring.
McCulloch found some optimism with his team throughout the night. "We have a lot of weapons, and when we're on, it's going to be tough for teams to match up with all of those guys."
The Vikings have the Labor Day weekend off, then travel to Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) Saturday, September 11th.
August 29
Valley City--The junior varsity runners were again a positive sign in the latest Valley City Hi-Liner cross-country performance.
The JV girls won a 17 team meet, with the boys placing fourth in a 15-team field at the invitational "extreme" race at Pipestem Reservior at Jamestown this weekend. The race included river crossings, high grass, trails, woods, and hills.
The varsity teams were again incomplete, as new head coach Brian Engelhard contemplates which young runners to move up to the varsity level, which he says may be just a couple of races away.
"If you look at percentage of competitors beat, all but a couple of them went up..very encouraging for a young team. I was particularly impressed with the number of runners our team was passing in the last 100 meters going uphill to the finish line," said Engelard.
Allyson Suhr led the varsity girls with a 13th place performance, with Natalie Ley not running. Shanley Fogarty led the varsity boys with a 23rd-place finish.
Three JV girls finished in the top 10 in an 86-runner field. April Berntson again ran second, her second runner-up finish in as many races in her career, with Jamie Ronning sixth and Barbara Zubrod 16th. Casey Engelhard led the boys with an eighth-place finish, with Andrew Kawasaki 17th.
The Hi-Liners run in a meet at Johnson Park in Moorhead, MN, hosted by West Fargo on Thursday afternoon.
August 27
Valley City--The toughest adversity football coaches can face is injuries. Hi-Liner head coach Scott Roehrich tasted plenty of that adversity in the season opener Friday night.Devils Lake ran over beat up Hi-Liner offensive and defensive lines to a 56-30 rout of Valley City at Hanna Field in Valley City Friday. After a hot start by the Hi-Liners, it was the Firebirds that scored 35 of the final 43 points.
Injuries took their toll quickly. Already missing a starting center, the Hi-Liners lost two-way lineman Alex Andel in the second quarter, and Devils Lake found plenty of gaps up the middle, while stuffing any challenge the Hi-Liners posed in the running game.
"I really got to give a lot of credit to our offensive line that finished with three sophomores," said Roehrich.
The Valley City running attack had virtually no success outside of quarterback Trent Egan calling his own number on broken coverages. Devils Lake took advantage of the injuries with constant blitzes that the Hi-Liners could not contain.
There were moments that saw Hi-Liner success. The first was after an odd roll of the dice from Devils Lake that backfired, when the Firebirds attempted to convert a fourth-and-three on their opening drive at their own 35.
The Hi-Liners would take advantage with Egan running out of a designed quarterback draw five plays later for the opening score of the game, giving Valley City an 8-0 lead just 3:28 into the game.
Another was newcomer Joey Halgrimson getting into the big-play act. With the Hi-Liners leading by one, Halgrimson took a jump-ball throw from Egan, absorbed two hits on the way down, and sprinted 61 yards for a score, pushing the lead to 16-7 early in the second.
The game turned midway through the second in the injury to Andel. Devils Lake took over on a short field after a Hi-Liner punt that was held up by a stiff south wind, and gouging runs up the middle on draws by Kole Jenson and Sam Desia led to a one-yard plunge by Beau Erikkson, giving Devils Lake their first lead 21-16 with 5:44 left of the half.
Valley City answered with a 70-yard drive, aided by 15-yard pass interference and roughing the passer penalties, and Brandon Naeseth hauled in a five-yard toss from Egan with 2:38 left. The Firebirds countered with a 61-yard kickoff return by Jenson, turning lead back to Devils Lake 28-22 at half.
The Firebirds put the game out of reach in the first five minutes of the second half. Egan would fumble on Valley City's opening possession, with Devils Lake recovering at the Hi-Liner 39. Two straight 18-yard draws set up a score, and Jenson took it in from three yards out, edging the lead to 35-22 just 1:06 into the half.
The Hi-Liners would convert one first down on their next drive, but the Firebirds would eventually take over on Valley City's 40. Erikkson hooked up with Jenson on a middle screen two plays later, with Jenson slashing his way to 42 yards and another major, running the lead to 42-22 with 7:42 left in the third.
Valley City would get one more score with 7:45 left in the game, when Egan found Halgrimson on a nine-yard throw. Devils Lake tacked on two more scores for the final of 56-30.
The Hi-Liners start a three-game road swing next week, travelling to Carrington for non-conference football Friday. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
Devils Lake 7 21 21 7 56
Valley City 8 14 0 8 30
1st
VC--Egan 29 yard run (pass to Halgrimson) 8:32
DL--Jenson 65 yard run (Pearson kick) 5:02
2nd
VC--Egan 61 yard pass to Halgrimson (Egan run) 9:14
DL--Erikkson 27 yard pass to Hoffmeyer (Pearson kick) 8:17
DL--Erikkson 1 yard run (Pearson kick) 5:44
VC--Egan 6 yard pass to Naeseth (Halgrimson run failed) 2:38
DL--Jenson 62 yard kickoff return (Pearson kick) 2:24
3rd
DL--Jenson 3 yard run (Pearson kick) 10:54
DL--Erikkson 42 yard pass to Jenson (Pearson kick) 7:42
DL--Erikkson 16 yard pass to Pearson (Pearson kick) 1:48
4th
VC--Egan 9 yard pass to Halgrimson (Egan run) 7:45
DL--Nelson 9 yard run (Pearson kick) 2:24
By Ryan Cunningham NewsDakota.com
August 26
Valley City--Throw out the old passage about non-conference games being just tune-ups and not meaning anything.
Friday night for the Hi-Liners holds none of the truths conventional wisdom around non-league games professes.
The Hi-Liners welcome Devils Lake to Hanna Field to start the season tomorrow evening. The clash has already gained the attention of many of those casting ballots in the weekly "AA" football poll.
In each of the last three years, one of these two teams has played for a state title. The Firebirds were defeated by Fargo Shanley 31-30 in overtime in last year's finale.
Two years ago, the Hi-Liners played in the season's final game, and were also turned away. This season, both teams return quality players and have the tools to make a run at a regional title.
"I would say that certainly with the coaches and players are going to expect a good dogfight, a streetfight even, on Friday night, and we're looking forward to it," head Hi-Liner coach Scott Roehrich said of the matchup.
This year's Hi-Liners may have more options offensively than previous years. While Shane Ost and Brandon Larson will anchor a sound running attack, the addition of Joey Halgrimson as a receiver will compliment big-bodied Preston Myers as pass-catchers.
"I like the passing game this year more so than previous years. We've got some tall weapons that we can draw upon, and Trent (Egan) is a senior now, and has gained some experience. We feel really good about that part of our game," Roehrich explained.
Egan will take the helm as starter under center for the second year, and will be looked at as a dual threat, with the ability to run designed plays as well as make things happen with his feet in the passing game.
Roehrich says the team still has questions to answer about some defensive positions, including the linebacker corps. Devils Lake torched Valley City's defense a year ago in Devils Lake, scoring 43 points with gouging runs.
Gametime is set for 7:00 p.m. Friday. The game will be broadcast on KOVC-AM 1490, with pregame coverage starting at 6:30 p.m.
By Ryan Cunningham NewsDakota.com
August 25
Valley City--If Bismarck High is the dominant football team, and Oakes is a wrestling powerhouse, Red River is the Bismarck or Oakes of tennis.
They proved it again with a humbling defeat of Valley City 9-0 in a dual Tuesday afternoon. Outside of #1 singles, the Hi-Liners won just five games in singles play and seven games in doubles play.
"Red River is Red River," sid head coach Matt Nielson. They've won the last several state titles and haven't lost a match in years."
The bright spot was Bryan Tykwinski at the top of the singles ladder. Although he lost his match with Erik Johnson, the Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC) singles favorite, 6-2, 6-4, Nielson saw positives.
"He proved today that he can play with anybody in the state. He had a point to go up 5-2 in the second set. One or two points send it to a super-tiebreaker," explained Nielson.
The Hi-Liners next face Wahpeton next Tuesday in Valley City.
By Steve Urness NewsDakota.com
August 24
New artificial turf is on the way for Lokken field next year.
(Lokken field stadium in Valley City.)
And Valley City State University president Dr. Steven Shirley asked the Valley City school board if both entities could work together and form a fact finding committee to explore the possibility of collaborating on a 3 phase building project.
(VCSU Lokken field. Photo by Steve Urness.)
Shirley believes the project would benefit the university, school district and community. He says other plans include a new locker room facility and an indoor practice facility next to Lokken field.
(VCSU president Dr. Steven Shirley addresses the Valley City school board about the proposed plan Monday night. Photos by Steve Urness.)
Shirley says an on going fund raising effort has been successful raising money toward the purchase of the artificial surface for Lokken field.
The Valley City school board unanimously votes to approved setting up a fact finding committee to work on several scenarios of the proposed plan.
By Ryan Cunningham NewsDakota.com
August 23
Valley City--The Valley City State University Viking volleyball team claimed a match in three tries during their season-opening road trip to Iowa this past weekend.
The Vikings' lone win came over Waldorf College, the host team of the event in Forest City, IA. The Vikings bested the Warriors 3-2 (23-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-19, 15-13) on Saturday, the second day of the event.
Despite 15 service errors and dropping the first two games, the Vikings rallied behind balanced hitting. Mariah Martin (Sr., Embden, ND) notched 15 kills, and transfer Katie Melby (Jr. Fessenden, ND) knocked down 12.
Rebekah DePesa (Jr., Phoenix, AZ) and Aurissa Martens (Fr., Manitou, MB) each made offensive contributions with their new team.
The Vikings dropped their second match of the day, losing to Morningside 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-21) after just a 30-minute break between matches. The Viking hitting percentage dropped 60 points, with DePesa leading the way with 10 kills.
Grand View, IA, humbled VCSU 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-15) on Friday night in the opening match of the season. The Vikings hit just .026 in the match.
The Vikings travel to Orange City, IA, this weekend for matches with host Northwestern, IA, and a rematch with Morningside on Friday. They face Concordia, NE, and Briar Cliff, IA Saturday.
By Ryan Cunningham NewsDakota.com
August 23
Valley City--The Hi-Liner cross-country season will be a rebuilding process in 2010.
After a year at the class "B" level that saw a senior-laden boys team finish third in North Dakota, the teams are back to class "A" competition, and short on upper-classmen.
Valley City opened their season in Jamestown last Friday, and did not compete as a team in either varsity boys or girls. The real story were the developments in the junior varsity ranks.
Shanley Fogarty placed 60th in varsity boys competition, finishing in 19:20. Natalie Ley won a spot on the awards stand for the Hi-Liner girls, finishing 20th at 16:49.
At the JV level, Valley City combined for five top-20 performances with over 300 total runners, most class "A" competition, entered. Casey Engelhard finished 8th in the boys division 15:30, with Isaac Ingstad finishing 19th.
On the girls side, April Berntson, running her first ever cross-country meet, finished second out of 159 runners, finishing in 12:02. Jamie Ronning was 16th at 13:00, nine seconds ahead of 20th-place finisher Barbara Zubrod.
The next action for the Hi-Liners will be this Saturday at Pipestem Dam at Jamestown.
By Ryan Cunningham NewsDakota.com
August 23
Valley City--A young Hi-Liner tennis team opened up it's Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC) season with an 8-1 loss to Grand Forks Central Friday afternoon.
With a starting lineup that features three seniors, but also a sophomore and a freshman, Valley City turned to their best player for their lone win. Bryan Tykwinski sent an early signal to the rest of the EDC, defeated a solid Nick Moe at #1 singles 6-1, 6-2.
The Hi-Liners were close in two doubles matches. Tykwinski and Josh Glbertson dropped a 10-3 super-tie-breaker at #1 doubles. The team of Cody Schmidt and Shane Berntson came up short in a 10-6 breaker at #3 doubles.
Courtesy Associated Press
September 2
First Place Votes Are In Parentheses, followed by record, and total points
Class A
1. Velva (6) 1-0 45
2. Watford City (3) 2-0 32
3. Cavalier (1) 2-0 17
4. Killdeer 1-0 16
5. Linton-HMB 1-0 15
Others receiving votes: Harvey 1-0, Williams County 2-0, Milnor-North Sargent 1-0, Larimore 2-0, Rugby 0-1, Des Lacs-Burlington 1-0
9-Man
1. Mott-Regent (3) 1-0 36
2. Hillsboro (2) 2-0 33
3. Napoleon-GS 1-0 24
4. South Border (2) 1-0 23
5 tie North Star (1) 2-0 8
5 tie St. John 1-0 8
Others receiving votes: Hankinson (1) 1-0, Lakota-Adams-Edmore 2-0, Divide County 1-0, Wyndmere-Lidgerwood 0-1, Washburn 1-0.
By Jason Metko NewsDakota.com
August 30
Townsend Field in LaMoure has seen vast improvements in its facilities for hosting football over the last few years. Two years ago, the home of LLM Football saw a new press box built, and now coming into the 2010 season, the scoreboard has seen a major upgrade.
(The new scoreboard at Townsend Field in LaMoure. Photo by Jason Metko)
The Good Family once again made a large contribution to the project, and the board, which was made by DakTronics in South Dakota, is dedicated to Leroy “Tiger” Good.”
Installation was complete in the late evening hours on Thursday, just in time for Friday’s game.
By Wade Fossum NewsDakota.com
August 27
Normally Homecoming activities are reserved for the last home game of the year for the football team. Oakes has changed things up this year and moved it up to the first home game of the year. It will be the opening of their Region 1A schedule as they play host to the May-Port/CG Patriots on Friday September 3 at Cummings Field in Oakes.
Events will be starting on Sunday August 29, with the Linebackers Club annual pancake feed. Let the Tornado football team serve you breakfast Sunday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Angry Beaver Lodge in Oakes. Everyone is asked to park in the back, and enter through the south door.
Coronation and the annual Hall Of Fame induction ceremonies will be held on Monday night August 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the South Gym. This years inductees include, Mable "Ma" Bailey, a teacher at Oakes from 1928 to 1949. Tim Nichols, an OHS graduate from 1968, and Stan Hokana, an OHS graduate of 1967. Tim and Stan helped bring the 1966 State Track title to Oakes, the first recorded title in any sport at OHS.
This years queen candidates are: Brianna Schmit, Josie Bopp, Makenzie Sell, Tristan Juran, and Kelsey Awender. Up for king is Alex Breitbach, Brady Coleman, Garrett Peterson, Cody Ptacek, and Charles Forward.
The Homecoming volleyball match will be Thursday night September 2 as Oakes will start their District and Regional play by hosting the Hankinson Pirates. Following the match, enjoy the annual Tornado Feed in the school parking lot.
Courtesy Dakota Athletic Conference
August 25
Defending conference co-champions Dickinson State and Minot State sit one and two in the Dakota Athletic Conference Preseason Football Coaches’ Poll.
The Blue Hawks received five first place votes and a total of 47 points to edge the Beavers out for the top spot. Minot State picked up the other three first place ballots, and 45 points
Black Hills State placed third in the poll with 35 points, followed by Jamestown College with 31 points, South Dakota Mines with 24 points, Valley City State with 22 points, Dakota State with 11 points and Mayville State with 9 points.
Seven of the Eight teams in the DAC will open up play this week.
Minot hosts Bemidji on Thursday, and Dickinson will open up at home with Rocky Mountain, Montana on Thursday night.
Saturday, Valley City will play Ellendale Trinity Bible, Black Hills State is at Grandview, Iowa, Dakota State hosts Midland Lutheran, Nebraska, and South Dakota Tech will play at Montana Tech.
The Jimmie won't open up until Saturday, September 4th at home with Peru, Nebraska.
The poll was conducted by the Dakota Athletic Conference.
By Wade Fossum NewsDakota.com
August 25
Welcome to the 2010 high school football season! Oakes came from behind to knock off the Kindred Vikings 14 to 13 Tuesday night in Kindred. Oakes scored with 2:00 left in the game and then got a 2 point conversion to cap off the victory.
Kindred got the ball to start the game and controlled the game both offensively and defensively in the first half. The Vikings took the opening drive down the field and were able to use a scrambling first down conversion by A.J. Luick after he fumbled the snap on fourth and long. The drive would be capped off by a Matt Hall four yard TD run. Luick would add the extra point and Kindred lead with 6:19 to go in the first 7 to 0. Oakes would struggle early offensively with only 9 plays, on the 3rd play, an interception, they would get the ball back, only to have the 3rd play of that drive be a fumble. Their third possession was a 3 and out and a punt on fourth down.
Tanner Zetocha would provide the Tornado highlights as he got his second interception of the first half with a pick on the goal line with 0:36 before half to keep the score at 7-0.
Oakes would start the second half with the ball, change to a 4 wide shotgun formation and march down the field and score their first TD of the year on a 5 yard run by Zetocha. Oakes would fail on the conversion and trail by a point.
Early in the fourth quarter, Kindred was able to put a drive together and punch it in on a 1 yard Austin Dahlgren run to lead 13 to 6. Oakes would block the extra point attempt to stay within a touchdown. Oakes had to punt and give the ball back with time running out in the game. With under five minutes to go, the Tornadoes were able to stuff Dahlgren on a 4th and 1 to get the ball back. Oakes would gain a first down 2 plays later, then be set up with a 3rd and 4. Trent Ptacek would find Zetocha on a short curl that would be enough for the first down, but Tanner had other ideas. He broke 2 Viking tacklers and took off down the right sideline. Matt Hall couldn't drag him down either as Zetocha pushed him off, stayed on his feet and scampered in for a 59 yard TD. Tanner would also catch the 2 point conversion to take the lead 14 to 13.
The game would be iced in the final minute when Senior Alex Breitbach came around the end and sacked QB Branden Mitchell and forced the ball loose. Adam Roney would cover it up and Oakes would run the clock down and hang on for a thrilling victory to start the season.
Oakes 14 Kindred 13
1 2 3 4 Final
Oak 0 0 6 8 14
Kind 7 0 0 6 13
1: Kin (6:19) 4 yard run Hall (Luick Kick) 0-7
3: Oak (7:50) 5 yard run Zetocha (Pass failed) 6-7
4: Kin (9:46) 1 yard run Dahlgren (Kick Failed) 6-13
4: Oak (2:00) 59 yard pass Trent Ptacek to Zetocha (Pass Zetocha) 14-13
Courtesy Greg White
Septemeber 2
High School Girls
Niki Schmitz Senior Blue Jay Volleyball
Niki led the Blue Jays to a 3-4 record in the BHS/CHS Volleyball Invitational Aug. 27-28. Niki recorded 15 aces, 10 blocks, 12 digs, and 64 kills in the two day tournament.
Brooke Lukach Senior Blue Jay Swimming & Diving
First place in the diving competition, with a score of 343.70, in the 9 team Sparatan Invite on Saturday August 28th.
High School Boys
Jordan Lynch Senior Blue Jay Football
Jordan had 79 yards rushing including a 52 yard TD. He also was 6 for 15 passing for 57 yards and 1 TD.
Female College Athlete of the Week
Katie Zent Sophomore Jimmie Volleyball Team Hometown: Lefor, North Dakota
Katie led the Jimmies with a hitting efficiency of .431 on 37 kills to go along with 10 blocks during the weekend in Iowa.
Male College Athlete of the Week: Tom Cooke Freshman Jimmie Men’s Soccer Team Hometown: Northampton, Great Britain
Tom had 6 saves and one goal against as the Jimmie keeper in the 1-1 overtime tie with Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday.
By Jason Metko NewsDakota.com
September 2
The Jamestown College womens and mens golf teams started their season by each finished sixth at the Jimmie Invitational at Hillcrest Golf Club in Jamestown on Wednesday.
The women finished with a team score of 389, and Tracy Gustafson had the best score with an 87. The men’s team score was a 303, and Jack Bietz had the best day with a 74.
Next up for the Jimmies is a tournament at Bismarck’s Hawktree Golf Course for the Bismarck State Invite.
By Mark McKenzie NewsDakota.com
September 1
It will be the home field for the first time for the Blue Jay football team on Friday night at Gates Field, with a non-conference contest with Grand Forks Red River.
The Jays are looking to bounce back from a season opening defeat at Fargo North last week 28-14, the Riders come to town off a season opening victory over Williston 7-6.
Head coach Bill Cahill says the team is eager to play at home "It's a time when kids get to have their friends and family at the game, and the excitement level is higher then it is for most other games."
Kickoff is set for 7P, with coverage on AM 1400 KQDJ and newsdakota.com with Mark McKenzie and Cory Anderson, starting with the pregame at 630P.
By Mark McKenzie NewsDakota.com
September 1
The holiday weekend brings two nights of racing to Jamestown Speedway, with the annual Labor Day Street Stocks Special.
Races will start at 7P on Saturday, and restart at 6P on Sunday.
The annual Stock Car Stampede is coming up on Friday and Satuday September 24th and 25th.
For more details, go to jamestownspeedway.com.
By Mark McKenzie NewsDakota.com
September 1
The Century Patriots look to have one of the top teams in the state for boys tennis this Fall, and it appears that is the case after Century shut out Jamestown 9-0 on Tuesday in the capitol city.
Next up for the Blue Jays is a return trip to Bismarck to face the Demons on Thursday afternoon in a West Region duel.
By Mark McKenzie NewsDakota.com
August 31
Chalk up career win number 15 for Blue Jay golfer Laura Kraft.
The Senior won the Minot Invite on Monday with a score of 69.
Sierra Bennion has the Jays second best score with a 104.
As a team, Jamestown finished in fourth with a 393. Minot won the meet with a 326.
Next up for the Blue Jays is a meet at Dickinson on Thursday at 9A MDT.
By Mark Mckenzie NewsDakota.com
August 31
The North Dakota High School football polls for Triple "A" and Double "A" have been released for the first time for 2010.
West Fargo (1-0) leads the Triple "A" poll, Fargo South (1-0) is ranked second, defending state champ Bismarck(0-1), is in the third spot, Bismarck Century (0-1) fourth and Minot (1-0) is fifth.
Double "A" has defending state champ, Fargo Shanley (1-0) ranked number one, Devils Lake (1-0) number two, Bismarck St. Marys (1-0) number three, Carrington (1-0) is ranked number four, and Central Cass (1-0) is ranked number five.
Carrington picked up one first place vote.
The Single "A" and 9-man polls will come out on Wednesday.
By Mark McKenzie NewsDakota.com
August 30
The 2010 Jimmie football season kicks off Saturday at home with Peru State of Nebraska.
Expectations are high with 20 starters back off a team that went 5-5, but went 5-1 the final 6 weeks of the season.
Bud Etzold returns for his third season as head coach, and feels his team has the pieces to put together a good season "It doesn't matter how many people we have back. We have a veteran group, and they understand that we have a long road ahead of use. Of our first five games, four of those teams beat us last year. We have a big early chore ahead of us, but we are certainly excited."
For a preview on this years team with coach Etzold, click on the link on the sports page.
Kickoff is set for 1:P Saturday AT Rollie Greeno Field, with coverage on AM 1400 KQDJ with Mark McKenzie and Bill Nold, starting with the pregame at 12:25P.
By Mark McKenzie NewsDakota.com
August 30
Saturday night at Jamestown Speedway, Season champions were crowned for 2010.
In the Wissota Modifieds, Jason Grimes won the feature, John Corell Sr. accumulated the most season points, and is the 2010 champ.
Trent Gregerson won the feature in the Street Stocks, but Luke Nelson is the season points champion.
Midwest Mods saw Scott Bintz win the feature, and Ryan Mikkelson take the season points title.
Bombers feature winner was Tyler Michel, with Jamestown Joe Jacobson the season points championship.
Shaun Johnson won the feature in the Hornets, Carringtons David Freeman won the season points championship.
The holiday weekend will provide us with two nights of racing this weekend at the Speedway, as races will take place on Saturday at 7P, and Sunday night at 6.
By Mark McKenzie NewsDakota.com
August 30
The 2010 Blue Jay girls swimming and diving team traveled to Fargo North for it's season opener on Saturday at the Spartan Invite, and came away with a pair of individual champs.
Brook Lukach won the Diving event, and Erin Hart took the 100 yd Backstroke.
As a team, Jamestown piled up 215 points, good enough for seventh place.
Next up for the Jays is is a meet at Minot on Saturday.
By Mark McKenzie NewsDakota.com
August 30
The Jays boys tennis team got home cooking for the first time this season, with a double duel on Saturday at Bolinger Tennis Courts.
Despite the home court, Jamestown was unable to pick up a win.
Wahpeton picked up a 5-4 win, and West Fargo shut down the Jays 9-0.
It's back on the road for Jamestown on Tuesday, with a West Region match at Bismarck Century on Tuesday.
By Mark McKenzie NewsDakota.com
August 30
Both the Blue Jays and Jimmies took part in Volleyball Tournaments over the weekend.
The Jays opened the 2010 season with a two day tournament in Bismarck, and finished 3-4.
Jamestown picked up wins over Fargo Davies, Valley City and Grand Forks Central, and suffered defeats to Fargo South, Devils Lake and Wahpeton.
Next up for the Jays is the conference openers on the road this weekend, with trips to Dickinson on Friday and Williston on Saturday.
The Jimmies competed at a two day tourney in Orange City, Iowa at the Red Raider Classic, and split four matches.
Jamestown lost to Doane, Nebraska 3-2, beat Concordia, Nebraska 3-0, defeated Dakota Wesleyan 3-1, and lost to the host team, Northwestern, Iowa 2-3.
Next up is a trip to Irvine, California for a tournament Friday and Saturday.
By Mark McKenzie NewsDakota.com
August 30
Dakota Wesleyan and the Jimmies meet in a soccer twinbill Saturday at Jimmie Soccer Field.
The Tigers took the women's game 5-1, with Hillary Bull getting Jamestown's only goal. Kayla Byle had 9 saves, as the Jimmies were out shot 14-3.
Jamestown slips to 0-2.
The mens game ended in a 1-1 double overtime tie in Jamestown's season, and home opener.
Ryan Kuhry picked up Jamestowns goal, and Tom Cooke made six saves.
The Jimmies will host D-II Upper Iowa on Thursday field, with the women's game at 5P, and the mens game at 7P.
By Mark McKenzie NewsDakota.com
August 30
Jamestown hosted the RM Stoudt cross country meet on Saturday, and the Blue Jays Alison Allmer captured first place in the girls division.
Elizabeth Entzel came in 12th and Julie Fuchs placed 26th.
As a team, the Jays finished third with 103 points.
The boys division saw Jamestown come in sixth with 124 points.
Jake Nieland had the Blue Jays top finish with 18th place, and close behind was Joe Jensen, as he took 19th.
Apple Valley, Minnesota won the girls division, and Hopkins, Minnesota the boys division.
Jamestown will travel to Moorhead for a meet on Thursday.
By Mark McKenzie NewsDakota.com
August 27
The 2010 Blue Jay football season is underway, and Jamestown suffered a 28-14 non-conference defeat at Fargo North on Friday night.
After a scoreless first quarter, the two teams combined for three touchdowns in a span of 60 seconds.
The Spartans struck for a 30 yard QB keep by Justis Garret, and Garret ran in the two point conversion, to make it 8-0 North midway through the second.
Devyn Hoffman returned the kickoff 38 yards to give the Jays great field position at it's own 48.
Senior QB Jordan Lynch scored on the first play from scrimmage on a 52 yard run on a tuck and keep around the right corner.
The two point conversion was failed., but the Spartan lead was slashed to 8-6.
North took over at it's own 32 after the kickoff and a five yard false start penalty.
Adam Amundson scored on the first play on a 68 yard bolt up the middle to increase the Spartan lead to 14-6, as the two point conversion was failed.
The TD finished off a flurry of points in a one minute span, and the North 8 point lead held up heading into halftime.
The Spartans tacked on an early score in the third on another big play, as RB Peter Saintal escaped for a 26 yard run.
Jamestown made things interesting early in the fourth on a 24 yard TD pass from Lynch to Junior TE Tony Smith, that capped off a six play, 47 yard drive.
Lynch ran in the two point conversion to make it one score game, 20-14, with much of the fourth quarter remaining.
The Jays defense forced a quick three and out to give the offense the ball back with plenty of time on the clock, but Lynch was picked off, and the Spartans were given a short field.
Saintall struck again, as a short screen pass turned into a 22 yard TD for the Sophomore, as he broke numerous tackles and rumbled into the end zone.
Saintall ran in the two point conversion to seal the deal 26-14.
The final stats favored North and it's rushing attack.
Jamestown ran 53 plays for 266 yards, and the Spartans charted 56 plays for 339 yards.
Jays head coach Bill Cahill said it was your typical first game of the season "At times we looked pretty good, and at times we didn't look good. We didn't take advantage of some big chances, and we missed some tackles that led to big plays for them."
Cahill liked the way his team fought back "We had it down to a one score game, and that pick late really hurt. They ran the ball well on us, and we saw to much of that last year. Our run defense struggled last season and it struggled again tonight."
Next up for Jamestown is it's home opener on Friday night, September 3rd at Gates Field versus Grand Forks Red River.
Kick off is set for 7P, with the broadcast on AM 1400 KQDJ and newsdakota.com with Mark McKenzie and Cory Anderson.
The pregame show will start at 6:30P, following game night.
By Jason Metko NewsDakota.com
August 27
Once again, the Lisbon Broncos found a way to get out of Townsend Field in LaMoure with a victory against LaMoure-Litchville-Marion, but it was not easy.
Lisbon 6 LLM 0
In a contest that saw LLM dress only 21 players, both teams kept each other scoreless until the fourth quarter, where Zach Peterson was able to break several LLM tackles and make his way into the end zone for the game’s only points from 23 yards out.
“We did a lot of things, for the most part, pretty well tonight.” said LLM head coach Joel Bickford. “In the end though, they made a few more big plays than we did, and that turned out to be the deciding factor tonight.”
LLM (0-1) now starts Region I play in Wimbledon on Friday, September 3 against Griggs/Barnes County. Coverage on Q101.1 FM and NewsDakota.com starts at 6:40 with Jason Metko and Vance Stemen.
By Mark McKenzie NewsDakota.com
August 24
The North American Fastpitch Softball Tournament was held in Fargo this past weekend, with 48 teams competing.
Winnipeg Bullets won the title by winning six of seven games, including at 12-8 win over Exit Diamond Realty of Pennsylvania in the title game.
Three Jamestown natives played for the Bullets, and posted huge numbers in the two day event.
Bryan Erstad, Jared Purdy and Joe Vannett all suited up for Winnipeg, and each played a big part in the teams success.
Erstad was named the tournament MVP, as he hit two home runs, and finished with 23 RBI.
Purdy also went deep twice.
By Mark McKenzie NewsDakota.com
August 24
School won't start for Jamestown until Thursday, but the girls golf team already has three meets under it's belt.
Monday, Jamestown took part in the Turtle Mountain Invite in Rolla, and placed fifth with a team score of 443.
Minot won the meet with a 338.
Laura Kraft came in third with a 83.
Sierra Bennion had the Jays second best score with a 114.
Jamestown has a week off before competing at it's next meet in Minot on Monday, August 30th.