JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The first game of the season at Ernie Gates Field was a classic. Unfortunately, for the home team it didn’t go their way as Jamestown lost to Shanley 27-26.

Jamestown scored on a pair of defensive touchdowns and a beauty of a scoring pass from Tommy Falk to Jeremy Williams to take a 20-14 lead into halftime. Both Brandon Dallman and Tate Orr had interception returns for scores.

On the other side it was the Haley Bucholz Show for Shanley, the UND commit hauled in three passes for 214 yards and two scores.

The Jays took the lead in the fourth quarter on another Falk-to-Williams connection on a tipped pass that Williams caught off his shoe tops. Shanley was backed up trailing 26-21 in the final minutes, but another big play put them in scoring position.

The Deacons had four plays of 66 yards or more. This one went to Austin Manuel for 84 yards down to the Jamestown 4. Kaden Kuenaman scored on a QB sneak to regain the lead with under two minutes to go.

Jamestown drove into Shanley territory in the final second and Falk’s desperate heave was deflected three times inside the ten before Williams caught it. However, he was tackled at the six-yard-line as the clock expired.

The Jays travel to Watford City on Friday.