VALLEY CITY,N.D. (NewsDakota.com)- The Hi-Liners had their chances Friday night at Hanna Field but just couldn’t sustain momentum against Turtle Mountain as they fell in their season opener 28-14.

The Braves scored on their first possession, after overcoming 3 straight penalties Kesin Peltier found Diego Samuelson for a 62 yard touchdown and Levi LaFountaine ran in the conversion to put The Braves up 8-0. LaFountaine scored his 1st of 3 touchdowns 4 minutes later to push their lead to 14-0.

Sam Bierle scored the first touchdown of the season for The Hi-Liners on a 27 yard reception with 2:35 left in the opening quarter cutting the game to 14-6. LaFountaine provided the lone points of the second quarter and Turtle Mountain went up 22-6 at halftime.

Valley City pulled within 8 points one last time in the 3rd. Following a Braves punt, Corey Nelson broke free for a 68 yard score, Hadyn Jones scored the 2 points conversion. Turtle Mountain responded with a 7 play 63 yard scoring drive finished off by LaFountaine’s final touchdown of the game.

Both team were hampered by penalties. The Braves lost 121 yards on 13 penalties; The Hi-Liners lost 65 on 7.

Offensively Valley City collected 242 yards with 142 on the ground. Corey Nelson had 130 yards on 16 carries. Quarterback Tate Sufficool was 7 for 17 passing  with 97 yards. Beierle made 4 catches for 61 yards.

LaFountaine ended his night with 188 rushing yards to lead a Turtle Mountain offense that had 260 total yards. Peltier completed 3 passes on 11 attempts with 91 yards.

The Braves will play at home next week against Wahpeton, Valley City travels to Bismarck to face St.Mary’s.

(Cover photo provided by Diane J Hochhalter Studio)