BOWMAN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – It went down to the last play of the game, but Oakes prevailed over Bowman County 24-20.

Both offenses went 3 and out to begin their seasons, but the Oakes offense caught fire. The Tornadoes scored on three of their next four possessions to take a 17-0 lead late into the 2nd quarter.

Oakes Sr. running back Logan Sell scored the first touchdown of the season with a five yard touchdown run. Jr. Garret Meehl added a field goal before he found Sr. wide receiver Brackin Awender for a 34 yard touchdown pass to make it 17-0.

The Oakes defense was stingy for almost the entire 1st half. The defensive unit forced three punts, foiled a 4th down conversion before allowing a touchdown drive towards the end of the half.

After a missed extra point, Oakes controlled a 17-6 lead into halftime.

Bowman would gain momentum late in the 3rd quarter with their backs against the door. On a 3rd down, Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Svihovec connected with Matt Osendorf on a 94 yard touchdown pass to pull within one possession with under three to play in the 3rd quarter.

How did Oakes respond? They answered with an 11 play, 71 yard touchdown drive capped off by Sell’s second rushing TD of the afternoon.

It seemed like Oakes was going to cruise to a relaxed win late in the 4th after Oakes’ Alex Nelson picked off Svihovec, but Meehl returned the favor by tossing his second pick of the day on 4th down with 1:35 to play. Even with little time, Bowman County put together a 52 yard drive that resulted in eight points to pull within four.

With 13 seconds left, Bowman County would keep their chances alive by recovering an onside kick. The Bulldogs were able to get around the 30 yardline with three seconds to play, but a heave at the end missed and Oakes survived.

Ashton Biesterfeld added two sacks on defense as well.

The no. 2 ranked Tornadoes will have Labor Day weekend off and return to action at Hatton-Northwood September 6th.