Nathan Beitler/MDN Minot High sophomore quarterback Ryder Stutton (1) searches for a receiver while senior offensive lineman Quinn Wilk (65) blocks during a game against West Fargo Packers on Friday, Sept. 12.

Penalties helped the Magicians push past the Packers in the early quarters of Minot High’s home game against West Fargo on Friday night, Sept. 12.

In the first minutes of the first quarter, the game seemed all Packers. West Fargo was able to establish their strong run game, scoring on the first drive of the half. An extra point left then with a 7-0 lead before the Magicians were even able to hold the ball.

Still behind in possessions, it wouldn’t be until the end of the first quarter that the Magi would be able to score a touchdown of their own. After the Magi’s snap went wide, sophomore quarterback Ryder Sutton was sacked for a 29 yard loss, leaving Minot at second and 39. Both teams’ patterns of before and after snap penalties saved Minot this time, as a holding on the offense and facemask on the defense offset each other, allowing Minot to replay the down. With their new second chance, Sutton took the ball for himself and scrambled from one edge of the field to another, sidestepping the Packers defense for a 29 yard touchdown. The Magi secured the extra point and tied the game 7-7 before the first quarter ended.

The second quarter saw even more success for Minot High and Sutton showed more of the Magi’s throwing game. The sophomore quarterback fired the ball far downfield and found junior wide receiver Tariq Bell 55 yards out. Bell was then able to take the ball all the way home for Minot’s second touchdown of the game. The Magi secured another extra point ending the possession with a score of 14-7 for Minot.

The Packers still had time and all three timeouts to try and tie the game in the second half, but a fumble recovered by Minot squashed any chances for West Fargo to tie the game before the half ended.

West Fargo was the first to resume the points race in the second half. The Packers were able to slip through the Minot defense and bring the score within a point. Trouble with the snap on the extra point cut the Packers off at 13-14 for Minot at deadline. Check online for final results.