Mike Kraft/MDN Minot High sophomore quarterback Ryder Sutton (1) looks to get around the edge against West Fargo Sheyenne’s Max Zenker (19) during the first quarter of a Class AAA football game at Duane Carlson Stadium in Minot on Friday, Sept. 5.

Tegan Schindler may not have won the starting quarterback job during summer camp, but that didn’t mean his senior season was going to be spent observing from the sideline.

Instead, Schindler is proving to be a jack of all trades on both sides of the ball for the Minot High football team, and that was on display during the first half against defending state champion West Fargo Sheyenne at Duane Carlson Stadium on Friday, Sept. 5.

The 5-foot-8 senior recovered a muffed punt deep in Sheyenne’s territory, rushed for a touchdown on a quarterback keeper, lined up in the backfield as a running back, lined up on the outside as a wide receiver and defended passes on defense as a corner back. Schindler’s contributions helped the Magicians grab their first lead of the season, but at the time of deadline, the two teams were deadlocked at 24-24 at the end of the third quarter.

The Magi got off to a rocky start for the second straight game, turning the ball over on their first possession of the game. Facing third down at its own 19, Minot gifted the Mustangs a short field after quarterback Ryder Sutton couldn’t corral a high snap and Sheynne pounced on the loose ball.

The Mustangs capitalized on Minot’s lone miscue of the first half as Kye Schlichting punched it in on a 3-yard touchdown run on 3rd down with 8:53 remaining in the opening quarter for a 6-0 lead. Schlichting surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for his career during the first half.

The next three possessions for the Mustangs all ended the same way: giving the ball back to the Magicians with a short field. The first came via a muffed punt with Schindler coming away with possession at the 4-yard line. He was rewarded for his efforts, scoring on a 2-yard quarterback keeper on 4th down. The extra point by Blake Anderson gave the Magicians their first lead of the season.

The Magicians again found themselves with a short field on their next possession after the Mustangs were stuffed in the backfield on a 4th-and-1, setting up the home team at the 25-yard line. It led to a 1 yard touchdown plunge from Anderson, putting Minot up 14-6 in the final seconds of the first quarter.

Sheyenne fumbled following a completed pass at the Minot 42, stalling a third consecutive drive, although the Magicians were unable to turn it into points. Once the Mustangs solved their turnover problem, they were able to get their offense going, scoring 18 consecutive points to regrab the lead before the intermission.

Enoch-Adeogo Orukotan scored on a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs, the second coming with 37 seconds left in the first half for a 21-17 lead.

Sheyenne tacked on a field goal on its first possession of the second half to take a 7-point lead.

The Magicians drew even with Sutton’s first career touchdown pass, a strike over the middle to James Pallotta with 2:42 remaining in the third quarter.

Minot remains at home for a second straight week when it hosts West Fargo on Friday, Sept. 12, at Duane Carlson Stadium at 8 p.m.