Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Surrey senior quarterback Ryder Holien reacts after scoring a touchdown against Divide County on Oct. 4 in Surrey. The Mustangs defeated the Maroons 34-0.

When Surrey senior quarterback Ryder Holien saw a teammate struggling, he knew what he had to do.

A problem arose when sophomore offensive lineman Jagger Dickman arrived at Surrey High School for last Saturday’s film study. Dickman’s truck was stuck in the snow.

“I come in and just see him spinning the tires,” Holien said. “I go in his pickup and say, ‘Do you have it in four-wheel drive?'”

Dickman did not know the answer.

“He doesn’t have it in four-wheel drive,” Holien said. “I put it in drive, just stomp on it and get it out for him.”

Although the teammates laughed about the incident, it provides a glimpse into Holien’s character. The Mustangs look to the senior captain for advice both on and off the gridiron.

“We make sure that we stick together,” Holien said. “No one is singled out and no one fights. If we end up getting in an argument, we find a solution for that and we don’t have any problems.”

Surrey stands at 6-3 overall (4-3 Region 3) and has clinched a spot in the 9-man playoffs. They will play on Oct. 26 at Linton-Stockton.

The Mustangs have dedicated their season to offensive/defensive lineman Hayden Staggs, a former Surrey player who passed away unexpectedly in April.

“Having lost one of our closest teammates, this season is one that we want to bring back for him,” Holien said. “We want to make sure that everyone knows that he is still part of our team and part of our family.”

Although the Mustangs have earned their third consecutive playoff berth, one particular game sticks out in Holien’s mind. Back on Oct. 4, Surrey defeated Divide County 34-0 on senior night.

Holien ran for four touchdowns in the victory. After losing to the Maroons 48-0 in 2017 and eking out a 16-12 victory in 2018, the win on the muddy home turf brought special significance for Holien.

“Divide County is a good football team,” Holien said. “To make sure that we’re in the right mindset to win big football games against good football teams has been really big. The way that they beat us the year before (last year), they didn’t hold back at all. To come back and beat them the next year and the year after is pretty big.”

Head coach Mark Kennedy has helped the Mustangs gradually improve since taking the job in 2016. Back then, Holien was a freshman playing fullback and wide receiver.

Kennedy has not only watched the senior grow, but says he has also grown with him.

“I was able to pay attention and build a relationship with him,” Kennedy said. “When the coaches would talk, he would listen. He wanted to know what every position on the field was doing. That was one reason we were able to put him at quarterback, because he knew what everybody was supposed to be doing.”

Holien became a captain in his junior season, but showed leadership traits long before then. Kennedy designated Holien to walk out for several coin tosses when he was an underclassman.

“He means a lot to the program,” Kennedy said. “He and the classes before him mean a lot to this program. We wouldn’t be where we are at if it wasn’t for those kids. What’s crazy is his freshman year, he was kind of a leader. He wasn’t afraid to talk. He wasn’t afraid to be vocal. If he didn’t understand something, he would ask a question.”

Born and raised in Surrey, Holien’s current situation is something of a dream come true. He started YMCA flag football in first grade, moved on to tackle football in third grade and started junior high football in seventh grade.

His relationship with Kennedy has helped foster an environment of learning and growth.

“If you do something wrong, he will yell at you just like any other coach,” Holien said. “We all like that, because he will yell at us and then he will pick us back up. He will get into us and we will fix what we did wrong. He will pick us back up and start joking with you five minutes later.”

Kennedy often reminds the Mustangs about the importance of the classroom. Holien has bought into his coach’s teachings and attempts to keep his senior year in perspective.

“School is definitely my biggest priority,” Holien said. “I want to go on after football in high school, on to college and get a degree. Making sure that you have good grades and all your homework done is a big thing.”

Holien’s leadership has impacted one of the youngest Mustangs, freshman offensive lineman Ayden Amundson. Although Admunson is still in his first season, he has learned lessons while blocking for Holien and studying his habits.

“He motivates everyone on the team and is just a good guy,” Amundson said. “At the end of practice, he says what everyone needs to do. He makes sure everyone is watching film. He makes sure he’s making improvements and makes sure everyone is making improvements.”

When the dust settles on this season, Holien will move on to the basketball court and then the baseball diamond. In the meantime, his impact reverberates throughout the Surrey community.

“He has become a great leader for this team, for the school, for the town and their age group,” Kennedy said. “Sometimes, he can be a little overzealous with it, but I think all of his friends and his teammates have learned from him. They just know that he wants to win. He wants to do things right, so we can be successful as a team.”

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.