In a game that would be insulted if you merely called its finish chaotic, the Valley City Hi-Liners managed to escape Jamestown with a thrilling 10-9 victory, securing the coveted Iron Helmet and moving to 2-3 on the season. With that, they’re now just one win away from clinching a spot in the state playoffs.

The first half was a story of two very different quarters. Valley City dominated the first quarter, forcing the first of three Jamestown turnovers on downs, and capping it off with a Bryson Heck field goal to give the Hi-Liners a 3-0 lead. On the very next play, disaster struck for Jamestown as they fumbled the snap, allowing Scot Rhode to pounce on it at the Blue Jays’ 22-yard line. Heck capitalized on the miscue, linking up with Caden Amann on an 18-yard screen pass to stretch the Hi-Liners’ lead to 10-0.

But the second quarter was all Jamestown. A long punt return set the Blue Jays up at the Valley City 22, and although the Hi-Liner defense forced three consecutive negative plays, Jamestown struck on 4th down with a touchdown pass from Caleb Schiele. A missed extra point—seemingly minor at the time—would loom large later. The momentum kept swinging Jamestown’s way as they forced Valley City to punt and followed it up with a field goal. The Hi-Liners tried to bleed the rest of the clock, but Heck’s interception with one second left ended the half on a sour note.

The second half, however, was destined to become infamous in Jamestown lore. The Blue Jays’ first drive fizzled out with another failed fourth down conversion at the Valley City 16. Penalties thwarted their next drive, forcing only their second punt of the game. Meanwhile, Valley City didn’t sniff Jamestown territory throughout the third quarter.

Then came the drama of the fourth. Jamestown marched all the way to the Hi-Liners’ 10-yard line, but a personal foul on third-and-goal pushed them back to the 25. They managed to set up for a 35-yard field goal attempt, but a botched snap forced Caleb Schiele to launch a desperate pass into the end zone. Parker Amann tipped the ball just out of reach, and it harmlessly hit the turf.

With four minutes left, Jamestown once again drove deep into Hi-Liner territory. Penalties set them up at the Valley City five-yard line with just over two minutes to go. The Hi-Liners defense stiffened, driving the Blue Jays backward. But only needing a field goal Jamestown marched out the kicking team for a chip-shot field goal attempt that could have sealed the game. Yet in the game’s pivotal moment, Valley City’s special teams unit delivered. They blocked the kick, and the ball squirted through the end zone for a touchback.

With all three of their timeouts, Jamestown had a slim hope of getting the ball back. But Heck, channeling the nerves of every fan in attendance, iced the game with a pair of crucial runs that earned a first down. The Hi-Liners then ran down the clock, with Heck taking a final shotgun snap and scrambling just enough to drain the last seconds, sealing the exhilarating 10-9 victory.

Next up for Valley City is a home showdown against Bismarck St. Mary’s. With just one more win needed to secure a playoff spot, the stakes couldn’t be higher.