Before Friday afternoon, Ryan Berry was a stranger to the end zone.
By Friday evening, the Shanley running back was a stranger no more.
The 200-pound senior rushed for 98 yards and scored two touchdowns, helping the Deacons to a 19-13 homecoming victory over Devils Lake in Eastern Dakota Conference action at Jake Christiansen Stadium.
"Berry broke the ice finally." Shanley coach Dale Hammerschmidt commented. "Those were big points for us."
With 54 seconds remaining in the first half, the Firebirds broke in front when Alex Lundon hooked up with Josh Lagein on a 24 yard scoring pass. It culminated a nine-play, 59-yard drive for the Firebirds.
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"We thought we had won the first half, but we didn't finish." Berry said. "Then we got our spark in the second half."
That spark came at 8:53 in the third quarter when Shanley's Jordan Rodenbiker intercepted Lundon for a 45-yard touchdown return.
"They made some coverage adjustments that really stopped us." Devils Lake coach Kevin Baumgarn said. "They did some very good things defensively."
Trailing 7-6 going into the fourth quarter Shanley took the lead with Berry's first touchdown, an 11-yard scamper at the end of a 13-play, 90-yard drive.
Just 40 seconds later, Berry ran in again from 18 yards out, after Shanley's Drew Hushka intercepted Lundon at the Devils Lake 13.
Devils Lake answered with a six-play, 66-yard scoring drive of its own.
It was a case of too little, too late, as Shanley ended Devils Lake's last possession of the game with an interception by Devon Roehrich.
"Hats off to coach (Doug) Hushka and his defense." Hammerschmidt said. "I think our defense really wore them down in the second half."
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The Deacons recorded three of their four interceptions in the second half.
The Deacons (2-5, 2-3 EDC) visit Grand Forks Red River next Friday.
Devils Lake 0 7 0 6-13
Shanley 0 0 6 13-19
DL-Lagein 24 pass from Lundon (Riboli kick)
S-Rodenbiker 45 interception return (run failed)
S-Berry 11 run (pass failed)
S-Berry 18 run (Elias kick)
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DL-Mertens 15 pass from Lundon (kick failed)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: DL, Svidal 16-35, Lundon 4-(-3). S, Berry 22-98, Hushka 9-26, Rodenbiker 4-32, Weir 3-8, Roehrich 2-13.
PASSING: DL, Lundon 17-36-4 227. S, Weir 1-3-0 19, Roehrich 1-3-0 9.
RECEIVING: DL, Lagein 11-179, Mertens 2-27, Burdick 2-15, Wahl 1-4, Svidal 1-2. S, Rodenbiker 2-28.
Readers can reach Forum reporter John Odermann at (701) 241-5549
