Valley City–The narrative of Hi-Liner football for the 2022 season has focused on a rushing attack that amassed over 1900 yards in just six games.
What may have been overlooked was a defense that has risen to the challenge the last two weeks.
A Bluejay team full of playmakers with a dynamic quarterback turned the ball over five times and was limited to 97 yards by a Valley City defense that has allowed only 26 points this season in a 34-6 Hi-Liner win at Hanna Field in Valley City Friday night.
Unofficially, Valley City surrendered just eight yards rushing to the Bluejays, while Jamestown quarterback Payton Hochhalter found few open receivers in an offense that, all season, has been able to reset a game in their favor with the big play.
The early-season defensive effort by Valley City might have left pollsters around the state questioning if the Hi-Liners could perform at the same level against the top tier of 11-A talent, given that, through six games, Valley City’s opponents were a combined 10-27 this season.
It will be tough to ask those questions going forward. The Hi-Liners last two opponents, Wahpeton and Jamestown, are loaded with playmakers in offenses that flourish in spreading defenses out and exploiting big plays.
While Valley City struggled to find success behind it’s heavy ground game early, several key breaks set a tone that squared momentum on their side.
Bryson Heck connected on field goals of 24 and 27 yards in the first quarter after Bluejay turnovers. After a 30-yard touchdown toss from Hochhalter to Nathan Walz, one of just two sizable gains through the air for Jamestown in the game, Aiden Jacobson returned the ensuing kickoff 76 yards for a second quarter touchdown, immediately swinging the lead back to Valley City at 13-6.
A late first-half drive appeared to stall for the Hi-Liners, and with four seconds remaining, Heck through a Hail Mary from 32 yards out that was deflected a Jamestown defensive back into the waiting hands of Ethan Miller, and Valley City took a 20-6 lead to the break.
Valley City’s offensive line then took charge. The Hi-Liners scored twice more in the second half behind a running attack that 232 yards for the night. Heck also completed six passes, having thrown just 16 times total this season coming in. Jacobson caught four balls for 52 yards.
Gavin Gerhardt finished the night with 113 yards rushing. Miller ran for 77 yards and added the 32-yard scoring catch to his total. Preston Gall paced Jamestown with three grabs for 50 yards, while Walz had two catches for 39 yards and the lone Jamestown score.
KOVC named the entire offensive line the Ivy Real Estate Group Players of the Game.
Valley City will remain the top team in the state’s QRF playoff formula, and will travel to Grand Forks Central on Friday night. They finish the regular season with Fargo South on October 21st.