JAMESTOWN, N.D. (newsdakota.com) – Ernie Gates Field finally played host to its final home opener Friday evening against the Valley City Hi-Liners in a non-conference rivalry. Jamestown won the Iron Helmet Game for a third straight time with a 36-8 final.

It may have been the true home opener for Jamestown but Valley City looked to play spoiler as they shut down the Jays offense through 22 minutes of play. Valley City’s offense also failed to score for 21 minutes but managed to put some sustainable drives together on the back of tailback Max Fehr.

The heavy run attack was led by Fehr who tallied up over 100 yards on 24 rushes and controlled the game at times including a sustained drive that ended on a Kael Grebel quarterback keeper to put the Hi-Liners up 6-0. A two-point conversion made it 8-0.

Momentum was in favor of Valley City into the final minutes of the first half until Jamestown’s offense rose from the dead and mustered an eight play 62 yard drive capped off by a 16 yard touchdown pass from Ty Monson to Jacob Hilgemann to answer with only seconds remaining in the first half. A two point conversion followed and the game was tied at eight headed to the break.

Jamestown’s offense didn’t slow down following the halftime stoppage. In fact, it only got better. Monson and the passing game caught fire. The Monson-Hilgemann connection found the endzone two more times, including a beauty of an off-balanced dime that went for 89 yards. Monson found Brode Hillstrom for his other passing touchdown and also added one on the ground.

After the slow start, Jamestown still battled back to out gain Valley City 343-152.

The Blue Jays are 4-0 for the first time since 2000 while Valley City drops to 1-2. Jamestown gets defending state champs Century October 9 while Valley City faces off with Wahpeton next Friday evening.