UPDATED: includes Jamestown’s quarterfinal opponent
BISMARCK – Not how, but how many.
Though Jamestown Blue Jays Football struggled offensively Thursday, their defense made big plays at the right times and the Blue Jays held on for a 7-2 victory over St. Mary’s at Smrekar Field at Our Lady of Victory Stadium to earn a spot in the 11AA playoffs.
Jamestown (3-6, 2-3) had three interceptions and two sacks and stymied the offense of St. Mary’s (4-5, 2-3), whose running game didn’t show any consistency until the second half.
The Blue Jays’ only touchdown of the evening came when Brady Nenow threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Edison Walters with 6:15 remaining in the first quarter.
Walters had the first of the three JHS interceptions a minute into the second quarter after St. Mary’s had driven to the Jamestown 34.
After Jamestown failed on fourth down, the defense delivered again when Rylan Dockter batted a Patrick Richter pass in the air to be retrieved by Jaxon Morris for the second pick with 4:12 left in the half.
Subsequently, Jamestown and St. Mary’s both failed on fourth down. Jamestown had a chance for a 10-0 halftime lead, but Chase Traut missed a 28-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.
After the Blue Jays stopped the Saints, Jamestown couldn’t convert on fourth down at the St. Mary’s 19. SMCHS responded by throwing a fourth-down incompletion.
Brayden Hemminger broke a 29-yard run on the next Jamestown possession, but Nenow threw a fourth-down incompletion at the end of the third quarter.
A six and half minute fourth quarter drive for St. Mary’s ended with a fourth down stop of Richter by Rylan Dockter at the Jamestown two with 2:43 to play. But on the very next play, Brayden Hemminger was brought down in his own end zone for a safety to bring the Saints within 7-2 with 2:37 left.
The Blue Jays’ defense again stopped St. Mary’s at the Saints’ 42 with 1:37 left, but Jamestown couldn’t gain what would have been a game-clinching first down. A punt gave St. Mary’s the ball with 1:14 left, but Jamison Kleinjan intercepted Richter and Jamestown ran the clock out to secure a playoff berth.
Nenow completed 20 of 37 passes for 149 yards. Walters made eight catches for 55 yards, with Kale Verke making seven grabs for 42 yards. Hemminger rushed for 65 yards on 17 carries.
Jamestown is the fourth seed from 11AA West and will play in a quarterfinal at Kindred on Friday, October 30. Coverage will begin at 5:45 PM on Jamestown 107.1.
