The Daily Dispatch

Wahpeton overcame two big Bismarck St. Mary's plays Saturday in the first half of their North Dakota AA football game and downed the Saints 43-13 to advance into the semi-finals.

"I was proud of the way the guys bounced back," head coach Mike McCall said after the game. "We told them at half time to just go out and play Huskies football and have some fun."

The Huskies got on the board first.

After the Wahpeton defense shut down the Saints on their first possession, Wahpeton scored on their first offensive play.

Ryan Smith scored on a run from 53-yards out and Wahpeton led 6-0.

The extra point attempt was no good.

On their next possession, Wahpeton drove deep into Saints territory and had a first-and-goal at the St. Mary's 5-yard line.

But a fumbled exchange was put on the ground.

The Saints recovered and ran the ball back 90 yards for their own touchdown.

The extra point kick gave the Saints a 7-6 lead with 3:57 left in the first quarter.

St. Mary's extended their lead before the quarter ended.

After a Wahpeton punt, the Saints hit a 56-yard pass play on their first play from scrimmage.

The extra point kick was blocked by the Huskies' Devin Jilek, but the Saints had a 13-6 lead.

The Huskies took the lead mid-way through the second quarter.

After a short Saints punt, the Huskies started the drive on the St. Mary’s 26-yard line.

Smith and Cody Zarak combined to carry the ball.

Despite two Wahpeton penalties, Smith broke free to score from 20 yards out.

Smith also converted the two-point conversion to give the Huskies a 14-13 lead.

The Huskies did not look back after that.

They combined to outscore the Saints 37-0 after taking the lead.

Smith scored three more touchdowns in the game, including one on a 35-yard interception return in the third quarter.

Casey Hickle converted a third down and 12 situation with a 17 yard gain in one of the Huskies' scoring drives and the Huskies defense shut out St. Mary's after the first quarter.

"Everything just picked up at the start of the second half," coach McCall said. "Next week, we have the opportunity to bring a state semi-final football game to Wahpeton. That was very special to us. We wanted to do that. Now we have the opportunity to go on the field one more time and hopefully put ourselves in a position to play for a state title for the first time since 1998."

The Huskies will play Devils Lake Saturday in the state semi-finals.

The time and location of the game have not yet been determined.

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