Wolves drop to 2-2 in AA West standings
Titus Stenberg
Farmer Sports Writer
Watford City couldn’t overcome a fast start from Bismarck St. Mary’s last Thursday night, falling 35-12 in a tough road test on the Saints’ senior night. The loss dropped the Wolves to 2-2 in the AA West and 4-4 overall, while the victory gave St. Mary’s its first home win of the season and kept their playoff hopes alive.
St. Mary’s junior running back Beckett Price powered the Saints early, finding the end zone four times. His opening score capped a four-play, 48-yard drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown run and a successful extra point, putting the Saints up 7-0 with 5:18 remaining in the first quarter. The Wolves won the time of possession battle in the first quarter. They had two quality drives, but were stopped before they could score.
Price struck again midway through the second quarter, breaking free for a 51-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 14-0. Moments later, he added a 12-yard score following a short field, and just before halftime, giving St. Mary’s a 21-0 lead at the break. Price scored his fourth touchdown of the night early in the third with a 34-yard run.
Watford City found some momentum in the third quarter when Jayden Waggoner completed a seven-play, 74-yard drive with a 30-yard touchdown run, trimming the deficit to 28-6 with six minutes left in the frame. St. Mary’s added one more touchdown in the fourth, as Noah Schmidt finished off a 14-play, 55-yard drive with a six-yard run early in the quarter that took over nine minutes off the clock.
The Wolves continued to fight late in the game, putting together another sustained march - 11 plays for 65 yards - that ended with Rhylie-Ledahl Berger’s one-yard touchdown run to make it 35-12 with 4:43 remaining.
For the full story, visit www.watfordcitynd.com and subscribe to the McKenzie County Farmer today!