MINOT, N.D. (newsdakota.com) – For the first time since 2014, Jamestown football is 2-0 to begin a season following their 19-9 victory over Minot (0-2) Friday night.
Big plays and stout defense was the mantra Friday evening. Multiple gains of over 30 and 40 yards on offense and three interceptions on defense lead Jamestown to the road victory. It was a hard fought battle in which Coach Bill Nelson saw a lot of progress in the secondary of his defensive unit.
The Jays picked off Minot QB Trevor Emke three times. Austin Kessler snatched one in the first half and on back-to-back defensive plays in the second half Preston Kroeber and Carter Burchill picked Emke off. Through two games the Jays secondary has recorded five interceptions.
Up front the Jays front seven were bothersome to the Minot offense. Pressure on Emke forced a couple of those INT’s and the Jays defense halted any sort of run game the Magi attempted to put together. Nelson gives credit where credit is due.
All nine points came on special teams for the Magi. A kick return of 80 yards by Hunter Ruzicka and a 28 yard field goal from Peyton Batsch accounted for a grand total of nine points.
That was enough for the offense. The second drive of the game for the Jays offense stretched 93 yards on the way to a score. Quarterback Ty Monson connected with Keith Levin, more on Levin later, on a 48 yard pitch and catch into double coverage to bring the ball deep into Magi territory. Later in the drive Monson scored on a 1 yard QB sneak.
Later in the first half, Monson scored his second 1 yard QB sneak of the ballgame. It was the senior quarterback’s third rushing touchdown on the young season. Monson made his impact felt later in the game when he and Levin connected on a circus-like 45 yard touchdown reception to put Jamestown up 19-9. After going without a catch last week, Levin hauled in two receptions for 93 yards and the score that put the game away in the 4th quarter.
Before the season began Nelson knew his team was getting to where he wanted them to be, and they took a step forward Friday night.
Friday’s victory marks just the third win for Jamestown against Minot since 1975.
The Jays will celebrate into their by week and get ready for the last ever home opener at Ernie Gates Field. Jamestown welcomes in Legacy (1-1) Friday, September 18. Coverage can be heard on Jamestown 107.1 FM and online at newsdakota.com