Leave it to the senior.
Nathan Chilson -- one of just four seniors on the Velva-Sawyer roster -- made a leaping touchdown catch in the end zone late in the fourth quarter Friday at the Fargodome.
The 14-yard scoring catch with 3:12 remaining lifted Velva-Sawyer to a 20-13 victory against LaMoure-Litchville-Marion-Verona for the North Dakota Class 1A state championship.
"There is not too many of us (seniors), but in big-game situations we put the team on our shoulders," said Chilson, who had three catches for 34 yards.
The Aggies (11-1) won their third state title in four years, while LaMoure-LMV (11-1) missed a chance to win its first state championship since 1991.
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"It's still a great accomplishment to be runner-up," said LaMoure senior Cody Sailer, who was named Class 1A senior athlete of the year. "But it would have been great to be a champion."
A championship appeared within grasp after Jake Holen scooped up a fumble and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown with 8:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Loboes led 13-12 after Eli Ulmer kicked the point after.
"We knew it wasn't over," Sailer said.
The Aggies answered on the ensuing drive.
They started from their own 23-yard line before driving the ball deep into LaMoure territory. However, the Aggies faced a third-and-goal from the Loboes 14.
Velva-Sawyer quarterback Michael Morey dropped back and fired the ball toward the end zone. Chilson hauled in the perfectly placed pass between two LaMoure defenders.
"It was hard to pick up," Chilson said. "I didn't see it until the last second. I just put my hands up and caught it."
The catch capped a 10-play, 77-yard scoring drive that proved to be the difference.
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"It was a situation where our kids were in good coverage and in good position," LaMoure coach Greg Hermes said. "They just had two good athletes make a great play."
Both defenses dominated early. In the first half, LaMoure limited Velva to seven yards and one first down. The Loboes mustered just 51 yards and three first downs in the first two quarters against the Aggies.
But Velva broke loose in the third quarter with two long touchdown runs. Paul Gjellstad busted a 28-yard touchdown run on a misdirection play. Matt Kittelson added a 75-yard scoring run.
"They're a great team," Sailer said. "They've got a lot of speed. That's what hurt us big. Even their speed up front. Their line got off the ball well."
Velva-Sawyer 0 0 12 8-- 20
LaMoure-LMV 0 6 0 7-- 13
LLMV--Shockman 10 pass from Evert (kick failed)
VS--Gjellstad 28 run (kick blocked)
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VS--Kittelson 75 run (kick failed)
LLMV--Holen 30 fumble return (Ulmer kick)
VS--Chilson 14 pass from M. Morey (Kittelson run)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: V, Kittelson 22-112, Gjellstad 10-86, M. Morey 6-3, Weidler 5-(-17). LLMV, D, Sandness 15-40, Brandt 1-2, Sailer 2-(-2), Lommen 1-(-2), Evert 9-(-3).
PASSING: V, M. Morey 3-8-2 34 yards. LLMV, Evert 6-15-2 45, Rodin 0-1-0 0.
RECEIVING: V, Chilson 3-34. LLMV, Holen 3-32, Shockman 1-10, Lommen 1-3, D. Sandness 1-0.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Eric Peterson at (701) 241-5513
