Velva holds off Holsteins

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VELVA — Velva senior Derrick Casey isn’t a headline grabber.

But, with his team clinging to an 18-16 lead late in the fourth quarter against New Salem-Almont-Glen Ullin in Saturday’s opening-round game of the state Class 1A playoffs, Casey made what he referred to as “the biggest play of his career” to help the Aggies to a 26-16 win.

Late in the game, the Holsteins (6-3) were able to control the clock with their running game and keep the Aggies’ offense off the field.

However, Velva (7-2) called a blitz and the wide-eyed Casey just happened to be in the right place at the right time. He scooped up a fumble that set up first-and-10 at the Holsteins’ 16-yard line.

Casey knew he wasn’t losing the ball once he had it in his hand.

“I didn’t see the ball. I just heard someone yell ‘fumble’ and (the ball) happened to be sitting between the center’s leg,” Casey said. “I just jumped on it.”

Zach Podoll had three runs to set up his game-clinching 2-yard touchdown.

In the first half, Velva quarterback Ty Bruner found Chandler Mack for a 77-yard score and plunged in from 1 yard out to help the Aggies enter halftime with an 12-8 lead.

NSAGU senior tailback Cameron Morman, who entered the game with 1,090 yards and 20 touchdowns, overpowered Velva defenders.

He had 36 carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Morman’s first score in the second quarter brought the Holsteins within striking distance.

Morman’s second touchdown came in the fourth quarter and gave the Holsteins a 16-12 advantage.

But Podoll fired back with a 35-yard touchdown run on the next possession to put Velva ahead 18-16.

“The run was big,” Podoll said. “I just saw a hole and a cutback lane, and I took it. I knew I had a lane to make a couple of guys miss. I saw the guy in the hole, and I knew only the last defender could stop me.”

Podoll finished the game with 17 carries for 123 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Velva advances to the quarterfinals, and will visit No. 2-ranked Hazen next Saturday.

“Hazen is one of those teams that can do a lot of things,” Velva coach Larry Sandy said. “They have a little better speed and run different formations.”

NSAGU 2 6 0 8 — 16

Velva 0 12 0 14 — 26

First quarter

NSAGU–Safety

Second quarter

V–Chandler Mack 77 pass from Ty Bruner (run failed)

V–Bruner 1 run (kick failed)

NSAGU–Cameron Morman 11 run (run failed)

Fourth quarter

NSAGU–Morman 1 run (Morman run)

V–Zach Podoll 35 run (PAT failed)

V–Podoll 2 run (Podoll pass from Mack)

— Jason Blasco, Minot Daily News

Tags: high school football, sports, pre