South junior sparks Bruins with long gains

At the beginning of this season, Billy Sholl didn't start on offense or defense for the Fargo South Bruins.

Now, the junior is a two-way starter and another offensive weapon for the Bruins.

Sholl caught a 91-yard touchdown pass Saturday that sparked a 28-point first half. South rode its strong start to a 45-13 home victory against the Bismarck Century Patriots in the North Dakota Class 3A football quarterfinals.

"Getting included in the offense was pretty nice with the guys we have here," said Sholl, who also had a 36-yard catch on the last play of the first quarter that set up another score.

Sholl's two long catches helped South quarterback Brandon Larson to a monster first half.

Larson had three first-half completions. They were 57, 36 and 91 yards.

All three long plays resulted in or led to touchdowns.

"They can't get behind you and maybe that's easier said than done," Century coach Ron Wingenbach said.

Larson, a 6-foot, 180-pound junior, completed 5 of 9 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns.

"Really efficient," said South senior wide receiver Evan Savageau, who caught a 57-yard touchdown. "Brandon did a good job of throwing it out there."

Defending state champion South (9-1) plays at Western Dakota Association champion Bismarck (8-2) next Saturday.

The Bruins beat the Demons 35-28 at the Community Bowl in the regular season.

"That's awesome," Savageau said. "Bismarck played us straight up the first time. They are a tough team. It's exciting."

Backed up to its own 9-yard line midway through the second quarter, South faced a first down-and-12.

Sholl, lined up at wing back, ran a seam pass and got behind the Century defenders in the middle of the field.

Larson threw a strike to Sholl, who then split a pair of converging defenders and raced to the end zone.

The Bruins led 21-0 with 6 minutes, 28 seconds left in the first half.

"We knew he was going to be a big-time player," Feeney said of Sholl, who also plays outside linebacker. "He's such a good athlete. He has great hands."

South limited Century to 65 yards rushing on 24 carries. In contrast, the Bruins rushed for 266 yards on 44 attempts.

The Patriots scored their first points with 2:19 to play in the third quarter on a Zach Wentz 3-yard touchdown run, cutting the South lead to 35-7.

"They have all the bases covered," Wingenbach said. "South is a very good football team."

Century 0 0 7 6-13

South 7 21 7 10-45

FS-Savageau 57 pass from Larson (Eriksmoen kick)

FS-Solum 22 run (Eriksmoen kick)

FS-Sholl 91 pass from Larson (Eriksmoen kick)

FS-Larson 1 run (Eriksmoen kick)

FS-Solum 7 run (Eriksmoen kick)

BC-Wentz 3 run (Bortke kick)

FS-Eriksmoen 36 FG

FS-Griffin 7 pass from Cameron (Eriksmoen kick)

BC-Aarestad 24 pass from Keller (no conversion attempted)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: BC, Friedt 3-27, Levi Leingang 13-23, Keller 1-10, Fay 2-9, Leutz 1-4, Gesellchen 1-1, Wentz 3-(-9). FS, Solum 14-108, German 10-54, Dawson 4-50, Sholl 1-17, Larson 5-12, Felch 3-9, Wenell 5-8, Horner 1-4, Gackle 1-3, Cameron 1-1.

PASSING: BC, Wentz 8-21-1 87 yards, Keller 2-2-0 59. FS, Larson 5-9-0 223, Cameron 1-1-0 7.

RECEIVING: BC, Aarestad 2-59, Schlosser 2-27, Nagel 2-27, Levi Leingang 1-16, Leutz 2-10, Friedt 1-7. FS, Sholl 2-127, Savageau 3-96, Griffin 1-7.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Eric Peterson at (701) 241-5513