BISMARCK – Football weather finally arrived on Thursday, and the Minot Magicians knocked off WDA rival Bismarck 26-23, in a game that saw Griffin Broderick return an interception 49-yards for a touchdown.  

Minot High Magicians tested their strength last night when they travelled to Bismarck as the defense for both teams battled for dominance on the field, each defensive play dealing out rough tackles that would leave the offense staggering as they readied for the next play.  

With both teams unable to power through each other’s defenses, sometimes for several plays at a time and resulting in several punts, they’d each focus on completing handoffs and running plays for the majority of the game.  

Minot High gained most of their touchdowns through these plays and the actions of running backs Tyson Ruzicka and Griffin Broderick. Ruzicka scored two touchdowns tonight after completion of successful hand off plays, the first in the second quarter when a handoff by quarterback Lucas Beeter ended in a 22-yard touchdown for the Magi and an extra point by Kellan Burke.  

The second touchdown for Ruzicka, which could be considered as the play of the game, was after a handoff by Beeter would turn into a 62-yard run into the endzone after the Demons left a large hole opened in their defensive line that allowed Ruzicka a clear path through. The extra point was good and completed by Burke.  

Minot High running back Griffin Broderick took an equal share in the victory tonight, as his two successful handoffs were no small feats either, the first being gained after a 25-yard run up the left side helped Broderick gain the first touchdown of the game with the extra point not completed. His next touchdown came from an interception in the third quarter and resulting in a successful 56-yard run to the endzone, and the attempted two-point conversion didn’t succeed.  

Bismarck kept the Minot Magicians on their toes, completing several touchdowns of their own and starting right off the bat in the first quarter with a 16-yard pass by Bismarck quarterback Quin Lafner was successfully caught by wide receiver Preston Lamar, with an extra point gained after kick by running back Carter Henke, who also went onto gaining another touchdown pass in the second quarter. The final touchdown was completed by Bismarck running back Carter Henke after a successful handoff by Lafner resulted in a three-yard touchdown and a completed two-point conversion by Lamar.  

With the win, Minot High improves to 6-1 on the year. The Magicians host Williston next Friday at Duane Carlson Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Bismarck High travels to West Fargo Sheyenne.