September 1, 2010

Wolves open football season with two decisive wins

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

Watford City opened its 2010 season on a strong note picking up a pair of wins as the Wolves rolled over the Stanley Blue Jays 41-8 on Friday evening and then won their first Region 4 game on Saturday afternoon as the JV team cruised by Standing Rock 26-6.
This week, the Wolves will be at home as they host Minot Ryan on Friday in a 7 p.m. contest.
In their season opener on Friday, the Wolves scored 34 points in the first half of play en route to the easy win over the Blue Jays.
Watford City quarterback Trey Jacobson completed six of 13 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
Jacobson hooked up with Flatland in the first quarter from 39 yards out for the first score of the game and then Karson Knudtson scored from one yard out to give the Wolves a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.
The Wolves put the game out of reach of Stanley/Powers Lake with three second-quarter touchdowns. The first came on a 24-yard pass from Trey Jacobson to Tyler Flatland with Brady Lund and Nick Liebel scoring on runs of one and 14 yards to close out the first half scoring.
Four Stanley/Powers Lake turnovers led to 27 points by Watford City. Kalin Mogen made five of six PATs.
Trey Jacobson, Douglas Nordby and Shawn Fulwider led the Wolves on defense as the first unit did not allow a touchdown.
While Watford City had little trouble with Stanley in their first outing of the season, Fred Fridley, Wolves’ head coach, says that the team needs to make improvements.
“We did things better from the second quarter on,” stated Fridley. “I feel we can play much better. We missed some blocking assignments both on the line and in the backfield.”
And the Wolves, according to Fridley, will need to make some adjustments prior to this Friday’s game against Minot Ryan.
“Minot Ryan is a very good football team,” states Fridley. “They like to run the ball and use all four backs in their running game. We will need to come out and play well up front as we will be outsized.”
Watford City 26, Standing Rock 6
The Wolves also won their first Region 4 game as the JV team defeated the Standing Rock varsity 26-6 on Saturday afternoon.
Clay Billing scored three touchdowns on runs of one and six yards and returned an interception 37 yards for a score to lead the Wolves.
And then Sterling Ross opened the second half returning the kickoff 73 yards breaking the game open from a 14-6 halftime score.
“Our rush defense was very good,” stated Fridley. “We only gave them 47 yards on 32 attempts.”
Billing had 73 yards rushing and Josh Johnson had 104 yards rushing for the Wolves on offense.
The defense was led by Davis Zubke, Clay Billing, Austin Patten, Lucas Nicholson and Nate Egeberg.
Individual Statistics:
Passing: Trey Jacobson, 6 of 13 for 119 yards.
Rushing: Nolan Kalberer, 8-53 yards; Brady Lund, 10-45 yards; Nick Liebel, 2-33 yards; Clay Billing, 3-11 yards; Karson Knudtson, 4-13 yards; Josh Johnson, 3-5 yards; Lucas Nicholson, 2-4 yards.
Receiving: Tyler Flatland, 2-63 yards; Shawn Fulwider, 1-35 yards; Nick Liebel, 2-13 yards; Brady Lund, 1-8 yards.
Interceptions: Nick Liebel, 1-37 yards; Trey Jacobson, 1-9 yards.
Fumble Recoveries: Jake Thomas, Clay Billing, Douglas Nordby.
Defensive points: Trey Jacobson, 27; Douglas Nordby, 20; Shawn Fulwider, 18; Karson Knudtson, 16; Nick Liebel, 15; Austin Patten, 11; Kalin Mogen, 11; Davis Zubke, 11; Tyler Flatland, 10; Clay Billing, 9; Kyle Brown, 8; Jake Thomas, 8; Nolan Kalberer, 7; Shawn Connolly, 4; Nate Egeberg, 4; Gus Nelson, 1; Josh Johnson, 1.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER