Season ends for the Wolves
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
The Watford City Wolves wrapped up their 2011 football season with a resounding 48-6 win over the New Town Eagles last Friday. With the win, the Wolves, who failed to make the playoffs, ended the season with a 3-5 record.
“I feel we improved over the year and our seniors did a great job of keeping our young players working hard each day. That made it an enjoyable season,” stated Fred Fridley, Wolves’ head coach. “I would like to recognize our defensive coordinator, Justin Johnsrud, for doing a great job with the defense.”
Watford City got plenty of offensive scoring against the Eagles as the Wolves racked up 40 first-half points against the Eagles, who only had 14 players in uniform.
For the game, the Wolves rolled up 243 offensive yards on the ground, while Watford City’s defense only gave up 55 yards to New Town’s running game and allowed only four completions in 16 attempts.
Clay Billing, a senior running back, opened the scoring for Watford City with a 34-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. And then freshman running back, Daniel Marmon, scored twice to put the Wolves up 21-0 at the end of the first quarter. Marmon’s first touchdown was on a 65-yard punt return while his second score came on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Lucas Nicholson.
Steven Bascom converted all three first-quarter PATs.
The Wolves’ offense continued to dominate the action in the second quarter as Watford City picked up three more touchdowns.
Josh Johnson opened the quarter scoring on a two-yard run and then Tyler Bates scored on a 34-yard reverse. Billing added his second touchdown of the game in the second quarter on a 34-yard run to cap off Watford City’s scoring for the quarter. Steven Bascom kicked one of three PATs.
New Town would score its only touchdown of the game at the end of the second quarter to narrow the Wolves’ lead to 40-6 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Keegan Thompson scored on a five-yard run with Colter Maki connecting with Clay Jorgenson on the two-point conversion for the final points of the game.
On defense, seniors Shawn Fulwider and Gus Nelson led the way for the Wolves.
“We started 20 different players and everyone got some playing time,” stated Fridley.
Individual Statistics:
Rushing: Clay Billing, 4-82 yards; Josh Johnson, 5-35 yards; Tyler Bates, 1-34 yards; Dalton Wright, 8-27 yards; Lucas Nicholson, 4-20 yards; Jayden Grotte, 2-18 yards; Kelby Indergard, 6-17 yards; Cory Jones, 3-10 yards; Keegan Thompson, 1-5 yards; Clay Jorgenson, 1-3 yards.
Passing: Lucas Nicholson, 3 of 9 for 99 yards; Colton Maki, 1 of 1 for 29 yards.
Receiving: Shawn Fulwider, 1-48 yards; Tyler Bates, 1-32 yards; Keegan Thompson, 1-29 yards; Daniel Marmon 1-19 yards.
Interceptions: Shane Jorgenson, 1.
Fumble Recoveries: Gus Nelson, 1.
Defensive Points: Shawn Fulwider, 40; Gus Nelson, 29; Daniel Marmon, 17; Clay Billing, 14; Dalton Wright, 14; Shane Jorgenson, 13; Cory Jones, 10; Logan Fettig, 10; Jaryn Homiston, 9; Austin Garmann, 6; Jayden Grotte, 5; Brice Brenno, 4; Keegan Thompson, 4; Cody Bellon, 3; Lucas Nicholson, 3; Brandon Taylor, 3; Kalden Heggen, 2; Tyler Bates, 1; Jonathan Dunn, 1; Kalen Hartel, 1; Phillip Kellogg, 1.