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A more balanced approach for Magi offense?

When push comes to shove at Duane Carlson Stadium tonight, don’t be surprised if the Minot High School football team tweaks their run heavy offense to move the ball and put up points on Bismarck High.

The Magi, used to running through teams with an average of 260 rushing yards per game this season, won’t be able to bulldoze through the Demons’ defensive line quite as easy as they are accustomed to.

BHS allowed an average of 116.5 yards on the ground per game in the regular season – second-fewest behind Minot (115.4 yards) among West Region teams.

Therefore, the play calling tonight will be magnified with a trip to the Dakota Bowl on the line.

“We got to find out what we can have success with,” MHS coach Barry Holmen said. “We still certainly need a good balance of run and pass (plays) to be successful against them. They are too talented for us to be one-dimensional.”

In the Oct. 7 loss to Bismarck, Minot rushed for 170 yards – the second-lowest total this season behind the 142 yards gained in Week 1 against West Fargo – and passed for 155 yards. The Magi have rushed for more yards than they have passed for in every game this season.

Junior quarterback Creighton Rudolph, like Holmen, brought up the amount of negative plays and untimely turnovers that forced the Magi to adapt their play calling the first time they played Bismarck.

While limiting those types of plays can only help, Rudolph will be ready if called upon to use his arm more.

“We ended up passing a little more, but part of that was that we had so many negative plays with fumbled snaps and turning the ball over,” Rudolph said. “So, we are still going to stick to our stuff. If we have to throw it a lot, then I’ll be ready for the challenge.”

Alex Eisen covers Minot High School, Minot State athletics and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.

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