DEVILS LAKE — It might feel like you’ve seen this movie before.
A blowout loss to powerhouse Kindred, and a close win over No. 3 Central Cass. That exact scenario has played out over Devils Lake football’s first two games for the second consecutive season.
“These kind of games help build integrity and belief in what you’re doing,” Firebirds head coach Todd Lambrecht said after Friday’s game. “So that was a good, crucial win for us.”
Devils Lake was resilient in Week 2 after getting smacked by Kindred, 35-0, in Week 1.
It was a spot the Firebirds had been in before. They lost 42-12 to Kindred in last year’s season opener. Then they beat Central Cass 28-21 — and, like this year, Central Cass just so happened to be ranked No. 3 by the NDAPSSA.
But that was with a different group of kids; they had to prove themselves all over again on Friday.
“That was tough last Friday night,” Devils Lake first-year starting running back Egan Laite said. “We knew coming into this week that we had to change a lot of things and really improve intensity.”
Laite’s progression from Week 1 to Week 2 was key in the 21-19 win — a one-score victory for the second straight season. Against Kindred, Laite was limited to 16 carries for 80 yards. He carried the ball 29 times against Central Cass for 132 yards unofficially, along with nine receiving yards.
Laite’s fourth-quarter touchdown gave Devils Lake the breathing room it needed. He said he felt more comfortable in his second career varsity start.
“He still needs a little bit more,” Lambrecht said. “Always want to see improvement out of my guys, no matter what. Not being complacent, and that’s crucial and key. Egan ran hard. He did. Ran the ball well, hit some holes. Line made some good holes for him, and just got to keep learning from it.”
Lambrecht mentioned improvements with both the offensive and defensive line. The O-line contributed to Laite’s strong game, while the defense came up with big plays and stops, including multiple sacks by Aiden Stiven and interceptions from Domingo Engberg and Ben Brodina. Central Cass quarterback Brody Kegley still threw for over 300 yards, but the Firebirds held the Squirrels scoreless in the third quarter and with just seven points in the second half.
The Firebirds played more like they envisioned at the start of their title-defending season.
“It feels really good, knowing we have stuff to improve, and we knew we could accomplish this win,” Engberg said. “From last year with the seniors, they taught us a lot, and it really helps us this season.”
Engberg was a state champion last year. But this season has the essence of a debut campaign for the junior, who’s now one of the main wide receivers after being stuck behind a loaded depth chart last season.
The loss to Kindred was an instant gut punch. But Engberg got another chance for himself and for the team on Friday, and he delivered with a 50-yard touchdown, a 70-yard pick-six and numerous plays on defense.
“They told us it was a big step up that we needed to do,” Engberg said of losing to Kindred. “Our coaches, they believed in us. And we all worked harder and harder for it. And then we came out with the dub.”
With a much different-looking receiving corps, the goal hasn’t changed.
“This win, it really helped us a lot,” Engberg said. “And hopefully, we can repeat like last year and go for more wins in the long run.”
Devils Lake actually didn’t utilize all-state receiver Will Heilman a ton on Friday. Engberg’s touchdown catch, while memorable, was his only reception. Outside of a few big plays, Devils Lake leaned on the running game with Laite.
But whatever works, right?
The Firebirds needed to find their formula. They gelled much more coherently on Friday, with a strong running game complemented by the occasional deep pass and a relentless defensive effort.
Last year, beating Central Cass was the start of a five-game winning streak. Devils Lake has the same opponents in the same order on its schedule, with Wahpeton and Fargo South rounding out the non-region schedule. Region play begins with a game against Jamestown on Sept. 25.
“I think our confidence is definitely gonna be up there, and that’s gonna really push us through practice,” Laite said.
After the first two games were at home, the next three will be on the road. Devils Lake football won’t be home again until Oct. 2.
“One of our goals every year is to win on the road, because we had a long time there where road wins were hard for us,” Lambrecht said. “And it’s being able to bring our energy on our sidelines in that, and just staying upbeat for the game and being in the game. So yeah, road games are tough, and we’ve got some young guys that haven’t had to travel this far to play in a game like this. So it’ll be an experience for them, and hopefully, it’s a quick learner.”
Devils Lake (1-1) plays Wahpeton (0-2) on Friday at 6 p.m.