DICKINSON - Heading into the season a return to the playoffs after a one-year absence was one of the goals for a veteran-returning Dickinson team. Well, that box is checked following the Mavericks' 19-8 victory over visiting Devils Lake on Oct. 16 at the Biesiot Activities Center. Hopefully, its one of more big achievements to come this fall.

Dickinson jumped out to a 13-0 lead and then iced the game away with strong defense and special teams in the second half.

Running back Wyatt Turner caught a pass from Nathan Stevenson on a fourth-down play and scurried for 29 yards down the sidelines, eluding a tackler near before getting to the end zone. At the start of the second half Stevenson showed his athleticism, deking out a pair of Devils Lake tacklers and then outracing them into the end zone for a four-yard run. The Firebirds would answer on Easton Encinas four-yard run later in the quarter. The conversion was good when placeholder Rylan Samuelson bobbled the snap, but managed to elude a rusher and then fling the ball to Encinas who ran in for the two-points.

The Mavericks would extend the lead on Easton Martin's 22-yard field goal and a 16-8 halftime edge. The score would remain that way until early in the fourth quarter. Devils Lake was forced to punt, but the kick was partially blocked by Mav lineman Tai Tautola in DL territory. Martin would then be called on again and booted a 34-yard kick to extend the lead to 11.

Devils Lake had time remaining, but the Dickinson defense wouldn't bend. It was the second game in a row the Mavericks allowed just one touchdown and improved to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the AA West. The squad will travel to Minot North next week with the region top seed on the line. Devils Lake (5-2 overall and 2-2 in AA West), meanwhile, will try and secure a playoff spot when it hosts Watford City.