The victory marks the first time since 2011 that MLS has beaten TGU, as the Region 4 Titans came into the Week 1 nonconference contest with a five-game winning streak over the Region 6 Mavericks.

“It’s a great start to the new season,” MLS coach Cale Peterson said. “The kids are pretty darn happy and I’m pretty darn happy because that is the first time we have ever beaten those guys since I started being the head coach. It’s a pretty special win for us.”

The Mavericks struck first on a faded route in the corner of the end zone for Undlin. The 6-foot-4 junior had no problems outjumping the man-to-man coverage to complete the nine-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Nate Beha. The two-point conversation was successful on a run by Cole Southam.

TGU was quick to respond on its next possession. A methodical march down the field ended with shifty junior running back Shayden Luna punching the ball into the end zone from two yards out. However, the two-point conversation failed, and that was the Titans only score in the game.

Alex Eisen/MDN TGU quarterback Jared Lovro (11) runs out of the pocket Friday against the MLS Mavericks in a 9-man football game played in Mohall.

On the first snap of the second quarter, Undlin – now playing quarterback – broke free on a scramble to his left for a lengthy 39-yard touchdown run. After an unsuccessful rushing attempt to get two more points, MLS held a 14-6 lead.

“Isaac (Undlin) is essential in our scheme,” Peterson said. “If we don’t have him, then it’s a tough game for us. He’s a good kid. You can just throw it up to him and he will make plays for you. That helps a lot.”

A turnover on downs for MLS on TGU’s 13-yard line gave the Titans what looked to be one more possession before halftime. The drive started much like their first scoring drive until it stalled out at midfield and forced a punt.

The Mavericks got the ball back with 2:03 left in the second quarter. Undlin stepped back in the pocket and found Beau Driscoll on a crossing route before getting smacked to the ground. Driscoll, with nobody around him, caught it and ran the rest of the way untouched for a 72-yard touchdown.

Beha tossed up a jump ball for Undlin to get two more points, 22-6. That was the score at halftime.

“It was a new way for us to win a little bit,” Peterson said. “We threw a lot more, when we have been running a lot the last couple of years.”

A forced TGU fumble jump started another MLS scoring drive halfway through the third quarter.

Undlin was used as a decoy on similar fade route that he scored the first touchdown on, which allowed Driscoll to slip in behind the defense. Beha found him from 5 yards out, then he ran in for the two-point conversion to give the Mavericks a commanding 30-6 lead with 7:52 left in the third quarter.

“The turning point was probably the third quarter,” TGU coach Ben Wollenzien said. “That’s when we started to have kids go down with cramps. The heat took a lot out of us that first half. We only got 20 kid.”

Three minutes after Driscoll’s second touchdown catch, MLS added another six points on a 4-yard run by sophomore Henry Savelkoul. The 36-6 MLS lead started the running clock, but that didn’t prevent the Mavericks from extending their advantage once more in the fourth quarter to put the final score at 42-6.

Southam converted the Mavericks’ sixth and final touchdown with his legs from inside the 10-yard line. This scoring drive came after yet another TGU fumble.

“Of course, the turnovers did play a factor,” Wollenzien said. “Hopefully, that will come around.”

The Titans have their home-opener against Dunseith next Friday, while MLS has a quick turnaround as they travel to Bismarck to face Shiloh Christian at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

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