Jays Set for Semifinal Clash with Shanley

Posted By: Steve Linzmeier
November 2, 2018 @ 3:01 pm
Sports

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Jamestown football hasn’t been in the state semifinals since the glory days of the early 1990s. The Jays played in the 1991 and 1994 state titles, losing both to St. Mary’s. The ’94 season was the last state semifinal appearance.

“They’ve been focused all week,” Jays head coach Bill Nelson commented. “The kids know what’s at stake.”

Standing in their way of a trip to the Dakota Bowl, are the Shanley Deacons. Shanley has appeared in seven of the last nine title games. They won it all in 2009, 2010 and 2012.

When they two met in August, the Deacons escaped Ernie Gates Field with a 27-26 win when Jamestown’s Hail Mary was stopped short at the 6-yard line. Big plays were the name of the game in that one, Deacons WR Haley Bucholz caught three passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns.

Jamestown returned two interceptions for touchdowns, one from each Shanley QB at the time. However, Kaden Kueneman’s foot injury will keep him out of Saturday’s contest and Cade Busek will get the nod.

“[Busek] is more of a dual threat quarterback,” coach Troy Mattern said. “He was an all-state guy for us last year and we are confident in his abilities.”

Jamestown is lead by junior QB Tommy Falk and junior WR/CB Jeremy Williams. Falk has thrown for 1150 yards and 15 touchdowns, seven of which have gone to Williams.

The Jamestown run defense will be tested. The Jays upfront have only given up 100 yards to one team this year, St. Mary’s back in September. Shanley had most of their success through the air last time with the Kueneman-Bucholz connection, but Busek’s abilities on the ground are superior to most QB’s they have faced.

Busek has thrown for over 700 yards and ran for over 700 yards.

Kick-off Saturday from Sid Cichy Stadium in Fargo is at 1:30pm. Pregame show on ESPN Jamestown (AM 1400/107.1 FM) will being at 1pm.

The other semifinal will feature Central Cass at St. Mary’s. The Saints won a 14-7 decision earlier this year. The winners of the two contests will meet on Friday at 3pm at the Fargodome in Dakota Bowl XXVI.