MANDAN - Mandan seemed to be in striking distance to overcome a third quarter deficit against West Fargo Horace. But every time Mandan would draw close, the Hawks had an answer. Eventually, Horace would extend its lead en route to a 37-19 non-conference win on Sept. 11 at Starion Sports Complex. The Hawks improved to 2-1 overall while Mandan fell to 1-2.

WFH had a strong first quarter, establishing its run game and taking advantage of a turnover to build a 17-0 lead. Mandan would climb back into the contest with a pair of Tate Sayler runs in the second quarter. The first was a run up the middle from two yards out. The second was a 17-yard thing of beauty. He broke a tackle at the line and then made a B-line for the right pylon.

Horace would extend its lead in the third on another big play. Jameson Messer would catch a halfback option from Aiden Green. The play seemed to confuse the Mandan secondary and Messer was all alone behind the defense. Sayler's 14-yard run pulled Mandan to within five points. He finished with a team-high 139 yards rushing. However, that was has close as the Braves would get. Two more Horace TDs put a bow on the road win.

Mandan will face West Fargo Sheyenne, who holds a 2-1 overall record, on September 18.