Bismarck High School overcame a determined Mandan Braves squad with two crucial late scores to win 29-26 in a football game held on October 2 at The Bowl. The win improves Bismarck's West Region record to 2-0 and their overall record to 5-1, while Mandan's record now stands at 1-1 in the West Region and 3-3 overall. The Braves "had Bismarck on the ropes" throughout the contest.
Mandan opened the scoring with Pauley Brownotter's 54-yard punt return at 7:43 remaining in a quarter, though the subsequent kick was blocked. Bismarck quickly answered, as Weston Scott caught a 28-yard pass from Najeh Boyd for a touchdown at 4:03 remaining, with Kaden Molenda adding the extra point.
Mandan regained the lead when Tate Sailer scored on a 1-yard run at 5:51 remaining, though the two-point conversion attempt failed. Bismarck then pulled ahead again, as Cole Lardy ran for a 21-yard touchdown at 3:48 remaining. A successful two-point conversion followed, with Weston Scott completing a pass from Molenda.
The see-saw battle continued as Najeh Boyd secured a 50-yard pass from Molenda for a Bismarck touchdown at 0:31 remaining, and Molenda added the extra point. Mandan swiftly responded when Daniel Wentz caught a 25-yard pass from Weston Reiner for a touchdown at 0:39 remaining, though their extra-point kick failed.
Later, Mandan's Tate Sailer scored once more on a 4-yard run at 6:50 remaining. Ivan Hopfauf caught a pass from Reiner for a successful two-point conversion. However, Bismarck sealed its victory with Weston Scott's 3-yard pass from Molenda at 1:26 remaining, which was followed by a Kaden Molenda kick to secure the 29-26 lead.
Individually, Bismarck High's ground game was led by Cole Lardy, who rushed 16 times for 129 yards and two touchdowns. Brady Ennen contributed 48 yards on 16 carries, and Weston Scott added 29 yards on three carries. Izaya Dockter rushed once for 2 yards. In the passing game, Kaden Molenda completed 9 of 17 passes for 169 yards, throwing two interceptions and one touchdown. Najeh Boyd completed his only pass for 28 yards and a touchdown. Boyd was also a key receiver, catching 5 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Scott made 3 receptions for 35 yards and two touchdowns. Dockter caught one pass for 41 yards, and Lardy had one catch for 8 yards.
For Mandan, Tate Sailer was a primary threat on the ground, rushing 25 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Weston Reiner added 43 rushing yards on 10 carries, and Brandon Baker II contributed 38 yards on 7 carries. Daniel Wentz rushed once for 9 yards, and Jackson Drengson once for 5 yards. Ivan Hopfauf had one rush for minus 5 yards. Mandan's passing game saw Weston Reiner complete 17 of 29 passes for 217 yards, throwing one interception and two touchdowns. Receivers Jackson Drengson and Ivan Hopfauf both caught 6 passes, for 81 yards and 69 yards respectively. Daniel Wentz had 5 receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown.
Bismarck High's Cole Lardy was noted for hurdling over a Mandan defender during his run to a touchdown. Weston Scott and Brady Ennen were also seen celebrating a touchdown for the Demons. Mandan's Ivan Hopfauf reached out for a reception during the game.
Mandan had entered the season with expectations of relying on Cole Carlson or Kale Rinas at quarterback.
