Mike Kraft/MDN Minot High wide receiver Tariq Bell runs the ball down the field, shaking off defenders in Magi’s home game against West Fargo Sheyenne on Friday, Sept. 5.

The Minot High Magicians secured their first win of the regular season 35-0 in their season closer in Williston Friday night, Oct. 24.

The Magicians kicked off their end-of-season victory early in the first quarter on their first possession of the game. The Magi made their way down field but were stopped by the Williston Coyotes’ defense and were forced to punt the ball. The Magi were able to catch an early break, as a flag was thrown on the play for roughing the kicker. Minot was then given the first down and was able to work the ball downfield once again. With eight minutes and 29 seconds left in the quarter, Minot High senior Blake Anderson took the ball around the right side of the defense and ran the ball into the endzone for a 19-yard touchdown. The extra point was successful and brought the score to 7-0 in the first quarter. The Coyotes took the ball for their first possession soon after but turned the ball over. The Magi were able to hold onto the momentum and scored again on their second possession of the game. This time, junior Tariq Bell ran the ball in for Minot, cutting in just in front of the right pylon to bring the score to 14-0. Williston once again tried to work the ball down to their side of the field, but an interception by senior Tegan Schindler cut them short. Williston only got one more possession in the first quarter but were unable to put points on the board. The first quarter ended with a Magi lead 14-0.

The Magi cough another early break, this time in the second quarter when sophomore quarterback Ryder Sutton faked a handoff to Tariq Bell, fooling the Coyote defense and allowing

Junior running back Jalen Gunville to slip right through the defensive line and earn Minot their third touchdown of the game on a 36-yard run. After two unsuccessful drives by both teams, the Magicians found themselves punting the ball from the 44 yard line. The kick went off and the Coyotes receiver signaled a fair catch, but fumbled the ball as he attempted to catch it. Senior Kayson Mello arrived at the perfect time to swoop up the ball, and give the Magi a first down on the four yard line. It didn’t take long for Minot to capitalize on Mello’s recovery, as Anderson scored his second touchdown of the game on the first play of the drive. The score was 28-0 with seven minutes left in the half. Neither team would score through the rest of the first half.

Neither team scored through most of the third quarter until Gunville’s second touchdown of the game was overturned by a holding call. Another run by Gnville brought the Magi to the four yard line. Anderson was able to secure his third rushing touchdown of the game on the next play, and the extra point gave Minot a 35-0 lead. Anderson’s was the last touchdown of the game and gave Minot their first win of the regular season, taking out the Williston Coyotes.

“Its a very good feeling, a feeling that is earned,” said Magicians’ head coach Chauncy Hendershot. “I’m happy for our seniors to be able to leave the field like this.”

The Magicians walk away from their 2025 season with a record of 1-8. The Williston Coyotes ended their season winless.