The Mayville State Football team traveled to in-state rival Valley City State in Valley City, ND on Saturday, beginning their North Star Athletic Association conference campaign. Both teams were heading in with the same records of 1-2 and having a bye week prior this weekend's contest as well. The Vikings were able to strike first and keep the Comets away, taking a victory for Valley City State in the end.
VCSU was able to score on their first possession of the ball game, driving 74 yards on 3 plays within the first minute of action. The first possession for the Comets didn't fare too well either, as a safety was recorded after a blocked punt by the Vikings' Travon Smith, giving the Vikings a 9-0 lead in just the first few minutes of play. The two teams traded possessions until the Vikings were able to string together another score with a series of passes and some rushes, ending with a Jalen Pfiefer pass to Jake Peterson for 11 yards that capped a 47-yard drive. With the extra point, that made it a 16-0 lead for the Vikings. It would stay that score throughout the rest of the first half with the teams trading it back and forth.
The Vikings were able to start the second half with a fumble recovery on the kickoff, getting the ball on the 1-yard line. The Comet defense was able to hold them on the first two downs, but VCSU scored again on a 3rd and goal with Louis Quinones running in for the TD. The PAT failed for the Vikings, leaving the score at 22-0. For a while, it looked like the Comets were putting together a drive to get on the scoreboard, as they marched from their own 41-yard line to VCSU's 10-yard line, collecting 4 first downs on their 58-yard drive. Three passing attempts at the end just wasn't enough for the team to score on the drive. The Vikings took over on their own 10 and began a 90-yard drive that would end in the beginning of the fourth quarter, with Pfiefer connecting to Peterson on successive plays to raise their lead to 29-0. The Comets kept trying to fight their way closer to the end zone despite the score. They started on their own 21-yard line and kept the chains moving 3 more times to drum up a 49-yard drive of their own, but that drive was ended with an interception by the Vikings' Gavin Kolden. VCSU would score on that next possession, making it 37-0 after Louis Quinones ran it in on a 38-yard run.
It was a tough day for the Comets on offense, as
Creighton Pfau was 11 for 29 on the day with 2 INT's and only 86 yards total. Total rushing yards for the Comets was only 82 on 28 carries. Overall, the Vikings piled up 319 yards in passing and 195 on the turf.
Preston Hamlette led in rushing for the Comets with 37, while
Trent Momon had 29 yards on 3 receptions and
Jacob Hanson had 26 yards on 4 catches.
Defensively, Ricky Flowers, Jr led with 13 tackles for the Comets including 8 solo ones.
Josiah Walker had 12 total along with
Austin Robb having 10 total.
Next up for the Comets (1-3, 0-1 NSAA) will be back at home at Jerome Berg Field for Homecoming on September 29th at 2pm as they take on Waldorf University.
