Ryan Ladika/MDN Senior wideout Ethan Pankow (2) makes a catch during the first half of Minot High’s Friday night matchup against Jamestown.

The Minot Magicians produced a strong defensive effort throughout their Friday night matchup against the visiting Jamestown Blue Jays, but a stout defensive front by Jamestown in response frustrated the Magi’s offensive unit in a 21-0 Seniors’ Night loss at Duane Carlson Stadium.

The Magi (2-3 WDA, 2-6 overall) knew coming in that they would face a challenge with a Jamestown (5-0, 6-2) defense that had allowed more than 17 points just once in its previous seven contests, and the Blue Jays’ front performed as advertised.

Minot, donning specially-made camouflage uniforms in honor of Military Appreciation Night, was held scoreless on a first drive that followed a pregame ceremony honoring its 18 seniors. The Magi gained a total of 20 yards on six plays before an attempted Jayden Speraw quarterback sneak on fourth down and short was stopped just behind the line to gain.

The Blue Jays took over in Minot territory and authored a seven-play drive in under two minutes to take an early 7-0 lead. Quarterback Jackson Walters took the snap on second and goal from the Minot 11 yard line and found his receiver Preston Kroeber on a short pass.

Kroeber navigated his way through the Minot defense along the far sideline and his dive for the pylon was just far enough to break the plane of the goal line, putting the Blue Jays ahead with 7:42 to play in the opening 12 minutes.

The Magi defense clamped down on the Blue Jays for the remainder of the half, shutting the Blue Jays offense out of the end zone on its next five offensive possessions. Jamestown’s defense was up to the task as well, and the two teams entered halftime with the early Jamestown touchdown marking the game’s lone score.

The defensive struggle continued throughout much of the second half, as the two teams traded punts and failed fourth-down conversions until Jamestown cashed in on a Speraw interception at the Blue Jays’ 42 yard line with just over three minutes left in the third quarter.

As was the case throughout the evening on the offensive side of the ball for Jamestown, Jakob Schempp was at the center of a run-heavy scheme, and he dragged a handful of Minot defenders into the end zone from the Minot 6 yard line to help double the Blue Jays lead.

The Magi would surrender another late Jamestown score and could not solve the stingy Blue Jays defense in their eventual 21-0 defeat. The loss marked the third straight for Minot, and the fourth in their last five games. Jamestown remained perfect in WDA play with the victory, moving to 5-0 in the conference.

The Magi’s next contest is slated for Thursday, Oct. 21 against Bismarck Century. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Bismarck.

Bishop Ryan wins 28-12 over Nedrose

The Bishop Ryan Lions and Nedrose Cardinals were also in action Friday night to conclude regular-season action, and the Lions (8-0 Region 3, 8-1 overall) secured a comfortable 28-12 victory over the Cardinals (5-3, 5-3) in front of their home crowd at Herb Parker Stadium.

Bishop Ryan enters the postseason as the top seed out of Region 11B Northwest, and Nedrose will be seeded fourth.