Alex Eisen/MDN Bishop Ryan junior running back Jaxon Feller (left) tries to avoid being tackled by Dickinson Trinity's Bryant Merry (5) during a Class A high school football game played Friday at Herb Parker Stadium.

The Bishop Ryan defense didn’t crack until the fourth quarter, and the offense started clicking with do-it-all Logan Merck at the helm.

The No. 5-ranked Lions took down Dickinson Trinity, 30-12, in their season opener Friday night at Herb Parker Stadium.

Ryan (1-0) was five minutes away from posting an emphatic shutout in the Class A non-region contest until Trinity (0-1) managed to sneak some points on the scoreboard.

“We came out on fire and the defense set the tone, and that’s what we thought would happen,” Ryan head coach Roger Coleman said. “Offense has some things to clean up, the penalties weren’t great, but a great win against a great quality opponent to start off. Can’t complain.”

A scoreless first quarter featured a missed Dickinson Trinity field goal from inside 30 yards, then Ryan junior quarterback Nick Sanders connected with senior Jaeger Lundeen on an 81-yard catch-and-run. That Lions’ drive, however, ended due to a couple of penalties and Sanders getting picked off by Cheydan Hauf.

Penalties plagued the Lions early on.

“We had less practice and we were trying to put our tempo in, so we tried to go a little faster than what we were ready for,” Coleman said. “We will clean that up for next week.”

Hauf picked off Sanders a second time on a deep pass attempt with 7:51 left in the second quarter. Ryan got the ball back a little over two minutes later when sophomore Josh Will recovered a fumble at midfield.

The Lions thought they had a touchdown on the ensuing drive, but a holding penalty brought back a Sanders’ touchdown scamper.

Ryan settled for a 25-yard field goal by sophomore Bram Johannsen to score its first points of the season and take a 3-0 lead into halftime.

Sanders ended the first half by snagging his own interception on defense, as Trinity’s quarterback Jake Daniel threw up an unsuccessful Hail Mary with time expiring.

After starting the second half with a failed fourth-down conversion using the wildcat formation — incomplete pass by Merck — on the Lions’ 37-yard line, Ryan got the ball back and scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter.

“We call it Panther,” Coleman said about the wildcat set. “That dude (Merck) can do anything. He’s a receiver, running back, punt returns… I mean, he’s a stud. He even had a pick-six. He can do it all.”

Four straight runs by junior running back Jaxon Feller put the ball on Trinity’s 20-yard line. Coleman went back to Panther.

Merck took the snap and ran ahead three times in a row. On the third attempt, Merck found a hole and scored from nine yards out.

Merck, not finished, stepped into a passing lane and powered down the sideline for a pick-six on Trinity’s next possession.

“I told coach the play before that I was going to get me one,” Merck said. “It was good coverage and I read the quarterback’s eyes. Jumped the ball and took it to the house.”

Johannsen missed the extra point, so Ryan led 16-0 with 5:58 left in the third quarter.

The Lions were back in the end zone three minutes later on a 25-yard touchdown run by Feller. A two-point pass from Merck to Zach Hendrickson was completed, 24-0.

“We felt our momentum taking over,” Coleman said. “Our conditioning paid off and were able to hang a few touchdowns in a row up there.”

Trinity picked up a consolation touchdown to break the shutout bid with 4:43 remaining. Daniel found Seth Herner in the back of the end zone from seven yards out. The two-point attempt failed.

Ryan answered on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Merck to senior receiver Denver Buck, 30-6.

Lastly, Hauf came down with a 54-yard touchdown reception for a second too little, too late score to push the final to 30-12.

“Five minutes left in the game and they finally scored,” Merck said. “The defense stepped up and made plays when we needed them.”

The Lions’ sturdy defense was led by senior Corbin Okeson, who finished with a couple of sacks, and senior Keegan Henjum using his large frame to clog up the running lanes.

The Lions have now won their last four season openers.

Bishop Ryan travels to Carrington next week Friday. Dickinson Trinity has next week off before facing Bowman County on Sept. 6.

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