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CITY, ND – (NEWSDAKOTA.COM)- A blocked punt in the 3rd quarter proved to be the difference maker in The Hi-Liners 14-10 loss to Watford City Friday night. After an afternoon of heavy rainfall the homecoming contest was moved from Hanna Field to Shelly Ellig Field at Lokken Stadium. Even with the change of venue teams still battled through some tough field conditions.

With teams feeling each out the opening quarter was scoreless,Valley City put the 1st points on the board early in the 2nd. Levi Nix found Justin Manson from 20 yards out. Manson then caught the 2 point conversion to make it an 8-0 game. The score would hold until the final 90 seconds of the half. Jayden Ewing caught a pass from Hunter Schwartzberger at the 10 yard line and carried it the final 15 yards to the end zone.The Wolves 2 point attempt failed. The Hi-Liners lead 8-6 at the half

 On their 1st drive of the 2nd half Valley City got pushed back to their 10 after a serious of miscues and an unsportsmanlike penalty. Their punt was blocked by Evan Heiser and recovered in the end zone. Watford City was able to get 2 points and took the lead 14-8.

Valley City got 2 points back after a high snap on a Watford City punt in the 4th quarter resulted in a safety but that’d would be all for The Hi-Liners 2nd half scoring. Justin Manson finished the night with 3 catches for 49 yards and touchdown. Nate Rodriguez,who left the game in the 2nd quarter with a injury,had 66 yards on 6 carries. Levi Nix was 5 of 15 passing for 79 yards. 

The loss drops Valley City to 3-2 and 1-2 in the west. They travel to Stanley next week.