James Jackson/MDN Velva senior defensive lineman Gabe Lakoduk (54) was one of the many Aggies defensive difference-makers in their 44-0 shutout victory over Kenmare.

Stacking win after win in the victory column through five games this season, a relatively unscathed Velva-Drake-Anamoose-Garrison squad looked to add another notch to their perfect record as they welcomed Kenmare/Bowbells/Burke Central to town on Friday night.

Undefeated thus far, the Velva Aggies (5-0 overall, 4-0 Region 3) have run roughshod over their adversaries in the past five weeks.

Embracing their role as the Region 3 cream of the crop and a Class B juggernaut, the Aggies have put up 40 points or more in 4-of-5 victories, accumulating a gaudy 220 total points in the process this season.

Sophomore dual-threat quarterback Ben Schepp has functioned as the heart of the Velva offense, consistently showcasing the fact that his arm talent is just as lethal as his skills as a ball carrier.

However, defined by more than their offense, the Aggies’ defense has also touted their prominence, only allowing a meager 12 PPG thus far.

On the other side of the field, the Kenmare Honkers (3-2 overall, 1-2 Region 3) ended a two-game Region 3 losing streak last week with a 30-12 win at home over Stanley.

Offensively, it has been feast-or-famine for the Honkers throughout the first five games of their schedule.

So far, the Honkers have scored at least 20 points in wins against Bowman County, Washburn, and Stanley, while conversely being shut out in their losses to Bishop Ryan and Des Lacs-Burlington.

Making matters worse, in the two games that they were blanked on the scoreboard this season, Kenmare was bested by a combined PF-PA margin of 0-69.

Glancing back to prior meetings between the two teams, games against Velva have historically not ended well for Kenmare, as the Aggies have claimed victory in 34 of their 37 total head-to-head matchups.

Looking to silence the doubters, Kenmare would roll into Velva on a soggy night hosting both homecoming and the dedication of Velva Field to The Larry Sandy Field in honor of longtime Velva head coach Larry Sandy.

Yet, the Aggies would waste no time in putting the first points of the game on the board, as sophomore wide receiver Treyson Iglehart would take the opening kickoff of the game to the house for an 80-yard kickoff return and a quick 8-0 Velva lead.

Putting the instinct to panic aside, Kenmare would gather their composure and attempt to put together a rebuttal to Velva’s highlight score.

Unable to string enough consistent positive yardage together, the Honkers would be forced to return the ball to Velva, a theme that persisted throughout the entirety of the game.

Over the first two quarters, Velva would put an additional 14 points on the board courtesy of a 5-yard rushing TD by sophomore running back Bradyn Bossert and a 32-yard receiving TD by sophomore tight end Reggie Bruner from Schepp for a 22-0 Aggies lead.

Though not as explosive of a first half for the Velva offense as fans have grown accustom to this season, the stifling Aggies defense was more than happy to pick up the slack and lock down the lead.

Acting as an iron curtain to Kenmare’s scoring efforts, the Velva defense would serve as both a run-stopping machine and a vice grip worth of pressure to the Honkers passing game.

Showing that they are just as astute at playing defense as offense, Iglehart and senior linebacker Payton Bodine would rack up interceptions to assist in holding Kenmare scoreless going into halftime.

Rolling into the final two quarters of play, the Aggies would ultimately manage to match their point total from the first half before all was said and done.

Schepp would find his familiar passing rhythm, hitting Bodine for a 38-yard TD pass in the third quarter, while freshman backup quarterback Cooper Kittleston would get a chance to put some points on the board with a strike to fellow freshman Brody Seidler for a 36-yard TD completion at the end of the game.

Not content with having an 80-yard kickoff return to open the game, Iglehart would also take a 60-yard kickoff to the end zone in the fourth quarter to swell the Velva lead to what would eventually be a final score of 44-0.

Continuing their stellar play from the first half, the Aggies defense would ultimately break Kenmare’s scoring will in the final two quarters of the contest and serve as the X factor in the Velva victory.

On top of their relentless all-around defensive efforts, special teams would also leave their fingerprints on the matchup in the fourth quarter.

With 8 minutes left in the game, Aggies freshman running back and linebacker Brody Seidler would give the defense some bragging rights when it comes to scoring as he blocked a fourth down punt by the Honkers out of the back of the end zone for a safety and two Velva points.

Next week at 7 p.m., both Velva and Kenmare will continue Region 3 competition, as Velva travels to Stanley and Kenmare welcomes Ray/Powers Lake.