BISMARCK - It was game one of the Division AAA 2026 season, but it already is an instant classic. Century appeared to be headed for win No. 1, but Fargo Shanley had other ideas, scoring 12 points in the last 2:10 to stun the Patriots, 26-25 in non-conference play on Aug 27 at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.

Century took an early lead with a pair of senior Carter Wylde TD runs and led 12-7 at halftime. Senior quarterback Kaden Welstad extended the Patriots' lead with a fourth down-and-goal run, making it 25-14 in the fourth quarter. Welstad made a key play on the drive, eludsing rushers and then connecting on an 18-yard completion to Wyatt Nelson inside the five-yard line on fourth down.

After Century's defense forced a turnover on downs, Fargo Shanley got the ball back on a fumble recovery. Junior quarterback Jacob Perkerewicz took advantage of the short field and scored on 1-yard keeper, narrowing the deficit to 25-20 with 2:10 to play. And then on the ensuing on-side kick, Perkerewicz kicked the ball 10 yards up the middle of the field and pounced on the ball before the Patriots receiving team could react. From there, he led his squad to the winning TD. The final drive covered 49 yards on 11 plays and 1:54. The final one was Eli Danduran's 2-yard run on third down. It was Danduran's second score of the game. Perkerewicz finished with over 275 yards passing and nearly 100 on the ground. Rusher Wylde also had a big game with the two scores and over 100 yards on the ground. The victory was the Deacons' fifth in a row over Century.

Fargo Shanley will face Mandan (0-0) on September 4, while Century will look to regroup when it hosts Fargo Davies (0-0) the same day.