VELVA - Holding the slim lead at halftime, the Hazen football team stumbled after committing five turnovers in the second half, falling to Velva 24-8 in the opening round of the Class A State Playoffs on Saturday, Oct. 20, from Velva High School.
Aggies sophomore quarterback Jersey Selzler starting the scoring in the first quarter with a 10-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Colton Frankl. Entering the contest as the highest-scoring team in Class, Velva was held off the scoreboard for the rest of the first half by a stingy Hazen defense.
With just under four minutes remaining in the second, the Bison (5-4, 4-2 Region 4) took the lead following a 20-yard rushing touchdown from junior quarterback Isaac Doll and a successful two-point conversion.
The Aggies regained the lead in the third thanks to a 5-yard scoring plunge from sophomore Gage Florence. Florence would give his team some separation following a 55-yard rushing touchdown later in the period before senior Hayden Lee put the game away with a 12-yard interception return touchdown.
The Pick-6 was one of five Aggies interceptions in the final 24 minutes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Velva (8-1, 6-1) Region 3) will travel to Bowman County on Saturday in the state quarterfinals.
Results SaturdayVelva 24, Hazen 8H 0 8 0 0 - 8V 6 0 18 0 - 24First quarterV: Colton Frankl 10 pass from Jersey Selzler (Two-point conversion failed)Second quarterH: Isaac Doll 20 run (Two-point conversion successful)Third quarterV: Gage Florence 5 run (Two-point conversion failed)V: Florence 55 run (Two-point conversion failed)V: Hayden Lee 12 interception return (Two-point conversion failed)Fourth quarterNo scoringIndividual statistics were not availableRecords: H: 5-4, 4-2 Region 4. V: 8-1, 6-1 Region 3
