Kari Gibb/MDN The Minot High defense was tested heavily in their season opening game as they hosted WF Sheyenne, the only team to beat them last year.

The only team to beat Minot High last season was the WF Sheyenne Mustangs. That regular season loss was avenged in the playoffs as the Magicians marched on to the state title. The Mustangs made the trip back to Minot to take revenge on that loss. They started the game when WF Sheyenne took the field and went straight to the 50-yard line to dance in the center of the Minot High home stadium to send that very message.

The visiting team would flex in the first half with two touchdowns and one field goal for the 17-3 halftime lead. The Magicians scored first with just under five minutes to play in the first quarter on a field goal.

In the second half, the Mustangs would add one more touchdown while the Magicians did the same for the 24-10 score in the fourth quarter of play. With four minutes to go, Minot High would add another score to be within striking range, trailing 24-17 in the late minutes.

The final effort was not in enough time, as the clock ran out on the comeback effort and the Mustangs repeated last year’s magic with the 24-17 win. With the late start time, stats were unavailable for print time and the game will be recapped in the next edition.