Kari Gibb/MDN Velva/Garrison/Drake-Anamoose senior quarterback Ben Schapp (10) scrambles with the ball on a broken pass play as Bishop Ryan defenders attempt to sack him in the second quarter of play as the Aggies hosted the Lions on Friday at the Velva High School field.

The Bishop Ryan Lions traveled southeast on highway 52 for the annual battle of the ‘Penny’ against the hosting Velva/Garrison/Drake-Anamoose Aggies with more than the large wooden prize at stake. Velva was defending their home turf and the number two ranking while Bishop Ryan was defending their undefeated season and the number three ranking for the state Class A level of play.

In a game that started neck and neck, the Aggies opened the floodgates for the scoring in the fourth quarter for the 52-14 win over the visiting Lions.

Velva drew first blood on the scoreboard with a score in the first quarter with just under 2:28 to play. Both teams had moved the ball across midfield, only to have the opposing defense stiffen and hold the line. The point after attempt failed and the quarter ended with the home team up 6-0 going into the second quarter of play.

As the sun set on the field, with 11:10 showing on the clock, the Bishop Ryan offense found their rhythm and scored the touchdown and the attempt after was good. The 7-6 lead for the Lions was good for nearly nine minutes.

Velva scored with 2:18 left in the first half and the two point attempt looked to fail on a fumble by the quarterback. The ball was picked up and run into the endzone for the 14-7 lead for the Aggies.

The Lions began moving the ball and looked to even the score for the half only to punt due to penalties. Bishop Ryan penalties in the first half kept the home team from trailing longer in the game.

Velva nearly tacked on the third score of the night on the final play of the half when a broken pass play resulted in a scramble with the quarterback being knocked out of bounds on the 3-yard line with no time left on the clock.

The Aggies led 14-7 at the half.

The home team received the second half opening kickoff and scored another touchdown with more than 11 minutes to go in the third quarter of play. With three minutes to play in the third quarter, Bishop Ryan had scored once and Velva had scored twice for the 36-14 home team lead going into the final quarter of play.

The Aggies added two more scores in the fourth quarter of play for the 52-14 win.

The ‘Penny’ stays with Velva/Garrison/Drake-Anamoose for another year.