Mayville, N.D. - The Comets Football team finished their season on Saturday night against the Martin Luther Knights at Jerome Berg Field. The Comets used several big plays from their passing game and defeated the Knights 45-20.

Senior offensive lineman, Zack Ceasar, broke the Mayville State school record of consecutive starts, with last night being his 53rd. 

Ceasar and Joevontay Clayton were the lone seniors on the roster. Both were recognized prior to the game for senior day. 


Joevontay Clayton, senior from Los Angeles, California. Pictured here with Edward Norton, Rocky Larson & Wade Smethers.


Zack Ceasar, senior from Lake Charles, Louisiana. Pictured here with his dad Josh and Rocky Larson.

First Half

The Comets got the ball first and immediately went to the air with Joevantay Clayton the primary target. Tim Salmon completed four passes to Clayton on this drive, the last one on a fade route to the end zone from 23 yards out for a touchdown. Braeden Lacombe converted the PAT and the Comets led 7-0 three minutes into the game.

After a three and out, the Knights were forced to punt. Unfortunately, the ball bounced off a Comet player and was recovered by Martin Luther at the Mayville State 46 yard line.

The Comets defense stepped up, as Bailey Mullenberg picked up a sack on first and 10, then Jordan Richardson picked off a pass and returned it 23 yards into Martin Luther territory.

The Comets took advantage of the turnover, as Salmon found Clayton again for a 24-yard touchdown strike. The Lacombe PAT put the Comets ahead 14-0.
The Knights got a receiver open for a 57-yard touchdown pass later in the first quarter to cut the deficit to 14-7.

After a Mayville State punt, the Knights drove down to the Comets 3, but on 4^th and 1 the defense held and forced a turnover on downs.

After both teams punted, the Comets offense hit paydirt again. On a nine play, 74 yard drive, a screen pass from Salmon to Mason Ollman covered the last 29 yards of the drive and bumped the lead back to 14 at 21-7.

With just under three minutes left to go in the half, Martin Luther scored on a 28 yard pass play. However, Mullenberg broke through the line and blocked the PAT attempt, which made the score 21-13 with only 40 seconds left.

It turned out Salmon and Clayton only needed 22 seconds to score. Two pass plays that totaled 64 yards resulted in Clayton's third touchdown of the game and Salmon's fourth. The Comets went into halftime with all the momentum and a 28-13 advantage.

2nd Half

The Knights got the ball to open the second half and marched down the field to score on a one yard touchdown run. The drive went 11 plays for 75 yards and chewed six minutes off the clock to cut Mayville State's lead to 28-20.

The Comets needed only two plays to boost the lead back to 15, as Javeion Davison streaked past the Martin Luther defense and Salmon found him for an 85 yard touchdown.

After a Knight punt, Mayville State drove the ball to the six yard line but was unable to punch it in. Lacombe nailed the 23 yard field goal attempt and made the score 38-20.

The Comets defense again forced the Knights to punt and started a drive to finish the third quarter.

On the second play in the fourth quarter, Davison got loose again in the Knights secondary, and Salmon tossed his sixth touchdown pass of the day, this one totaled 48 yards and gave the Comets a 45-20 lead.

Later in the quarter, a Mayville State fumble gave Martin Luther the ball in Comet territory. On third and nine Marcellus Moore stepped in front of a Knights pass to seal the game for Mayville State, with the final score of 45-20.

Salmon finished with 388 yards passing and six touchdowns, and also led the team in rushing with 33 yards. Two Comets receivers eclipsed 100 yards receiving, as Davison caught six receptions for 172 yards and two touchdowns while Clayton finished with seven catches for 149 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, Richard Shelton led in tackles with eight. Mullenberg added seven tackles, which included 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Moore notched a sack to go along with his interception and Danzele Navy broke up four Knights passes.

Head coach Rocky Larson said, "Our kids played really well yesterday in all areas. The kids stayed committed to the process."

2023 Season Wrap Up

The Comets finish their season with a 3-8 record and have a lot to look forward to in the 2024 season as they only graduate 2 seniors this year.

"It was a season of up and downs. We had chances in a lot of football games. This offseason we are going to demand toughness in everything that we do," said Larson.

"Our staff hits the road to recruit next week. Our goal will be to have 25 new students by signing day in February," added Larson.