BISMARCK -- Like a hungry, unfed monster the Bismarck High offense lay dormant for almost half the game.
But once the growling Demon broke out of its cage, it gobbled up yards and points voraciously.
When Saturday's frenzy abated, Bismarck owned a 40-0 Class 3A quarterfinal playoff victory over Fargo South on Saturday evening at the Community Bowl.
"I think the intensity picked up a little bit and we made some (offensive) changes in the second half that really helped out," said Bismarck tailback Weston Dressler, who ground out 176 yards in 29 carries. "... We weren't playing the greatest, and we knew if we wanted to win the game we had to pick it up (the second half)."
Bismarck broke a first-half deadlock with a quick, seven-play, 67-yard scoring drive that culminated in B.J. Etzold's
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37-yard pass to Dressler.
Dressler worked his way behind two South defenders, caught Etzold's looping pass at the 5-yard line and spun into the end zone with 2:56 to play in the half.
After forcing a South punt, Dressler grabbed Matt Bishoff's line-drive kick and returned it 22 yards down the right sideline to the South 46.
A late Bruin hit moved the ball to the South 31. On first down, Demons wideout Nathan Carpenter broke free of the South secondary and caught Etzold's 31-yard strike as he slid along the slick snow-dusted turf in the end zone for a 12-0 halftime edge.
Bismarck scored quickly in the second half after a failed onside kick attempt by the Bruins. Dressler ripped off a 30-yard run before scoring on a short pitch.
South coach Jim Schilling said losing the successful onside kick to open the second half via penalty was costly.
"It seemed like the intensity changed. ... Unfortunately we were offside on that pooch kick," Schilling said.
Bismarck also scored on its next possession for a 25-0 lead.
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Bismarck offensive tackle Joe DeCoteau said the Demons definitely came out the second half ready to do business. "We come out and set a standard for ourselves. We try to consume game time. I'm guessing we've scored seven times (to open the second half)."
Dressler added a 4-yard score later and safety Jordean Engelhardt returned one his two interceptions 32 yards for a score.
Fargo South 0 0 0 0-- 0
Bismarck 0 12 13 15--40
B--Weston Dressler 37 pass from B.J. Etzold (kick failed)
B--Nathan Carpenter 31 pass from Etzold (pass failed)
B--Dressler 4 run (kick failed)
B--Etzold 1 run (Carpenter kick)
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B--Dressler 4 run (Jordan Engelhardt pass from Michael Vetter
B--Engelhardt 32 interception return (Carpenter kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: FS, Johnson 19-54, Feigum 6-16, German 3-9, Lundblad 4-(-4). B, Dressler 29-176, Samuelson 7-68, Huether 2-22, Miller 3-8, Schmitcke 2-7, Etzold 2-3, Hager 3-minus 6.
PASSING: FS, Lundblad 2-12-2, 19 yards. B, Etzold 5-9-0, 112 yards.
RECEIVING: FS, Wurzbacher 2-19. B, Dressler 2-54, Carpenter 2-48, Samuelson 1-10.
