VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Riley Gerhardt came up with his first interception of the season at the most opportune time, with 1:22 to go in the game with Devils Lake facing a fourth and 13 in Hi-Liner territory. The offense went into victory formation twice as Valley City downed Devils Lake 15-7 in a key East Region game in Class AA football.
Prior to Gerhardt’s pick, Benton Murray sacked Ben Heilman for a 12 yard loss on a 3rd and 1 from the Hi-Liner 34. That’s the way the night went for Devils Lake. They were stopped five times on fourth down in Hi-Liner territory.
Hi-Liner Head coach Scott Roehrich says a lot of different guys came up big tonight.
The Hi-Liner scored their opening drive that went 66 yards on four plays with Tate Sufficool scoring on a one yard qb sneak. The score was set up by Max Fehr’s 50 yard run to the one. Austyn Thornton added the extra point and Valley City lead 7-0 just 2:08 into the game.
Valley City scored a gain with 5:26 to go in the second quarter when Fehr broke loose for a 53 yard touchdown. That capped a 71 yard drive, again on four plays. Mitchell Taylor scored the two point conversion to make it 15-0. It would stay that way.
Devils Lake’s lone score came with a 4:39 to go in the fourth quarter when Heilman capped an 83 yard drive with a 26 yard touchdown pass to Aaron Johnson. Robbie Seremgard kicked the extra point to cut the Hi-Liner lead to 15-7.
The Firebirds would get not closer and the Hi-Liners celebrated Senior Night and Parents Night with a their fourth win in a row.
Fehr had 129 yards rushing on 19 carries and one score. The Hi-Liner had 194 yards on the ground. Their lowest total since week two. Coach Roehrich says give credit to the Firebirds defense.
Valley City is now 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the East Region of Class AA. The third ranked Firebirds are 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the East Region.
The Hi-Liners travel to Casselton next Saturday night for a matchup with the Squirrels of Central Cass. The Firebirds will host Wahpeton next Saturday night.
