VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Beulah used a strong ground game and one methodical drive to slip past Valley City 22-8 in the open game for both schools Friday night at Hanna Field.
Tryston Miller picked up where he left off in 2018. The senior running back rushed for 120 yards on 18 carries to lead a balanced ground game. He would add a 48 yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Beulah got on the board first on a three yard run by Miller. The touchdown capped off a seven play 35 yard drive that was set up by Tret Brandt’s interception of a Tate Sufficool pass. Elijah Barbot added the extra point to give Beulah a 7-0 lead with 1:54 to go in the first half.
The score would stay that way until midway through the fourth quarter. Sufficool would pin Beulah down inside the one yard line after a great punt and the hustle of Tanner Soupir who was able to down the ball before it got into the endzone. The poor field position did not phase the Miners who proceeded to go on a 19 play, 99-plus yard drive capped off by a 1 yard touchdown run by Nathan Battest. Barbot’s extra point made it 14-0 Beulah with 5:38 to go in the fourth quarter.
Valley City would get that score back with three play, 53 yard drive, capped of by a 10 yard touchdown pass from Sufficool to Avery Bennefield. Sufficool ran in the conversion to make it 14-8 with 4:53 to go in the fourth quarter.
But not to be outdone, Beulah come right back with a 56 yard drive capped off by Miller’s 48 yard touchdown run on the drives fourth play. Brandt hit Jonah Larson with the conversion to make it 22-8 with 2:26 left in the fourth quarter.
The Hi-Liners would go three and out on the ensuing drive and Beulah ran out the clock for the season opening win.
Miller had 120 yards rushing on 18 carries and two touchdown. Nathan Battest had 18 carries and 72 yards and Jace Lee had 65 yards on 11 carries. All totaled, the Miners had 247 yards rushing and another 88 yards passing.
Max Fehr led the Hi-Liners ground game with 32 yards on seven carries. Sufficool was four of nine for 57 yards and two interceptions and the one touchdown.
The Hi-Liners will travel to Bismarck to face St. Mary’s. You can hear that game on 1490 AM/96.3 FM KOVC and streamed live on newsdakota.com.
(Pictures submitted by Diane J. Hochhalter Studio)
