MINOT - Minot North's offense had the ball and a 14-7 lead over Dickinson with 2:29 left in the final quarter, but was facing a third and down and six. Sentinel coach Jacob Holman dialed up something special. Tight end Rohan Fauske left his right side spot on the offensive line, pulled to left to take a handfoff and then rumbled 36 yards down the left sideline. The big play continued the drive, chewed up more clock and would eventually end with Cian Hannon's 26-yard touchdown run to put the game out of reach. The 21-7 victory on a balmy Oct. 22 evening secured the AA West Region title and a No. 1 playoff seed for Minot North. The Mavericks are also headed to the playoffs as a No. 2 seed.

Wide receiver Gavin Toby's four-yard pass from Henry Woodbeck would give North the opening score in the first quarter. That lead would hold until Dickinson's standout quarterback Nathan Stevenson would feather a fade pass to receiver Jesse Hammond in the end zone. The drive was fueled by runs by Stevenson and back Wyatt Turner.

North's offense would move the ball down field early in the fourth quarter and regain the lead on a bit of razzle-dazzle. Wide receiver Cam Jesz came toward the backfield to receive a pitch and then turn and throw to Tobey in the end zone for a 15-yard reception.

Dickinson's offense just couldn't generate much traction all night against the North's defense, but it appeared the break the Mavs were looking for came. An interception set up the offense in North territory midway through the fourth quarter, trailing by just one score. However, Stevenson was stopped on an open field tackle just shy of the line to gain on a fourth down. From there, the North offense would do the rest.

The win improved Minot North's record to 8-1 overall and 4-1 in the Western Dakota Association, while Dickinson fell to 7-2 overall and 3-2 in the conference. Both teams will be hosting playoff games on Friday, Oct. 30.