The Shanley football team was like a kid with a new toy on Saturday.
After missing three-and-a-half games with a concussion, running back Stefan Webber was finally back. It was time to see how the explosive the Deacons offense could fare with another big weapon.
And it was as if the senior was never gone.
Webber ran for 105 yards and three touchdowns to help the top-ranked Deacons to a 44-6 victory against Dickinson Trinity-New England in the first round of the North Dakota Class 2A playoffs at Sid Cichy Stadium.
"It was OK supporting my teammates and stuff (from the sidelines)," said Webber, who along with several teammates has a fresh Mohawk haircut for the playoffs. "But it's good to be back on the field. They were trying to get me back so I was primed for the playoffs. And that's what they did."
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Webber made an immediate impact on both sides of the ball.
The senior powered his way through the Trinity defense en route to 96 rushing yards and three first-half touchdowns.
Webber also intercepted a Ben Gordon pass to set up a 24-yard Dan Jordan field goal that put Shanley ahead 10-0. Jordan hit field goals from 24, 25 and 23 yards.
"It was great to have him back, playing well and doing the things he can do," Shanley coach Steve Laqua said. "He's a very talented football player."
Shanley threw Trinity for a loop several times in the first half by putting Webber and junior running back Tyler Rivard in the backfield in place of standout senior quarterback Myles Montplaisir.
The duo ran the option to perfection, picking up large chunks of yardage up the middle and to the outside.
Webber and Rivard combined for 157 yards on 23 carries in the game.
Montplaisir was even more effective when inserted back into the lineup.
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He ran for 152 yards on 10 carries to lead the Deacons to a 38-0 halftime lead. He finished with 164 yards on 12 carries.
"We thought at the beginning that the key was our start," Trinity coach Randy Gordon said. "We started off on the wrong foot. We gave them some breaks right away. ... It's going to be tough for anybody to get to them, I think."
The Shanley defense was dominant, holding the Titans to just 32 total yards in the first half.
The Deacons will host Valley City next Saturday in the semifinals. Shanley crushed the Hi-Liners 49-0 during the regular season.
Trinity 0 0 0 6- 6
Shanley 17 21 3 3-44
S-Webber 23 run (Jordan kick)
S-Jordan 24 field goal
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S-Montplaisir 2 run (Jordan kick)
S-Webber 1 run (Jordan kick)
S-Rivard (Jordan kick)
S-Webber 4 run (Jordan kick)
S-Jordan 25 field goal
S-Jordan 23 field goal
T-Schiff 4 run (kick failed)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
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RUSHING: T, Schiff 11-20, Roth 5-2, Steiner 1-4. S, Rivard 10-52, Webber 13-105, Montplaisir 12-164, Thorson 3-12, Simon 1-1.
PASSING: T, Gordon 5-16-1 106, Heidt 1-1-0 6. S, Montplaisir 11-21-1 123, Strom 1-1-0 5.
RECEIVING: T, Olson 3-42, Sickler 1-8, Schiff 1-56, Roth 1-6. S, Nelson 1-11, Dunn 5-61, Rodenbiker 4-33, Salentine 1-8, McGovern 1-5.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Heath Hotzler at (701) 241-5562.
Hotzler's blogs can be found at www.areavoices.com
