Photos by Noah Clooten

Photos by Noah Clooten

DEVILS LAKE — The Firebirds ran into an undefeated team in the finale of the regular football season.

No. 1 Grand Forks Red River (9-0, 5-0) has been taking down opponents all fall. No. 4 Devils Lake (5-4, 2-3) put together a solid regular season in its own right, and it came to an end with a 27-0 loss to the Roughriders at Roller Field on Friday.

“It’s life. Life’s never always ups,” Devils Lake head coach Todd Lambrecht said. “There’s always downs. And how we adjust as human beings, and that mental toughness, is stepping up the next time and just saying, ‘You know what? I’m gonna keep going.’ That’s what I’m proud of [about] my guys. They’re playing for each other, they’re playing with each other and they’re having some fun.”

The Firebirds seemed to grab some early momentum with an Oliver Wirth interception. But the Red River defense ultimately held too strong throughout the game, and the Roughriders’ offense consistently created athletic routes and found ways to convert in late-down scenarios.

“They’re an all-around team,” Lambrecht said. “They control the ball well… We had some mistakes, and a few that we were able to get but we weren’t able to capitalize on.”

Within the first few minutes of action, it was clear why this Red River team had had so much success. It mowed down the field all the way to the Devils Lake 15-yard line, with Thomas Kraft executing a 16-yard run and a fourth-down conversion. On first down from the 19, he carried the ball four yards.

But Devils Lake refused to just let this be a rout from the beginning, as Oliver Wirth picked it off. The Firebirds converted on third down, as Talan Gregory threw a sideways pass to Bryar Exner, who ran for nine yards. A 16-yard pass to Riley Johanson got Devils Lake to midfield.

But the Firebirds were hit with an illegal formation penalty, and it only went downhill from there. On third and 15, with Gregory under pressure, Kraft got him for a pick-six. The Roughriders, despite a relatively rougher start than they’re likely accustomed to, still led 7-0 at 4:30 in the first quarter.

Lambrecht wasted no time in putting Will Heilman in at quarterback on just Devils Lake’s second offensive drive. But it made little difference; the Firebirds went three and out, getting only a four-yard run from Heilman.

Devils Lake forced a three-and-out of its own on the next drive, and then Lambrecht put Gregory back in at quarterback. He completed a 12-yard pass to Max Palmer — twin brother of injured quarterback Mason Palmer — but was eventually sacked, so Devils Lake had to punt to start the second quarter.

A personal foul on the Firebirds helped Red River get the ball to the 42-yard line on just the second play of its next possession. Red River wide receiver Daniel Severud then got around a tackle and ran for a 17-yard play. A 27-yard reception by Severud got the ball to Devils Lake’s 13, and Kraft found an opening on the very next play for a 13-yard touchdown run.

Less than two minutes into the second quarter, the game was already starting to get away from the Firebirds with a 14-0 deficit.

When Devils Lake got the ball back, Exner picked up a first down, but he was tackled for a combined loss of five yards over the next two plays. Gregory was sacked for an extra loss of three, setting up fourth and 18.

A 14-yard pass to Severud got Red River three yards short of midfield. Braxton Rance came up with a sack, forcing the Roughriders to face 4th and 13.

Red River capitalized on the type of situation that a lot of teams would punt in. Quarterback Pearce Parks completed a 39-yard pass to Carter Flom.

But on third and 11, Heilman recorded Devils Lake’s second interception. The Firebirds had the ball back, still within a pair of touchdowns.

“Our guys didn’t give up,” Lambrecht said. “They kept hitting. They kept going. They kept playing hard. And as long as we do that and give ourselves that chance, it’s all we can ask for. Leave it on the field.”

Gregory completed an 11-yard to pass to Wirth on the next drive, but he was sacked shortly before halftime.

That was the last quarterback action he got. Heilman manned the position for most of the second half. He picked up a first down on a pass to Wirth, but it otherwise continued to be a quiet game for Devils Lake offensively.

“We wouldn’t put [Gregory and Heilman] in situations where they wouldn’t be comfortable,” Lambrecht said of his replacements for the injured Palmer. “Talan did a great job. He had one mishap, and then he came right back and did what he’s supposed to do. He controlled things… Will kind of got thrust in the situation, but he’s adapted.”

Red River scored on its first possession of the third quarter. The Roughriders started with the ball on the 50, picked up a third down and were helped by an encroachment call. Noah Brandvold ran nine yards over two plays for the touchdown. They went for a two-point conversion and were unsuccessful, making it a 20-0 game.

Freshman Ben Brodina got some action at quarterback for the Firebirds in the fourth quarter. He had a 12-yard carry for a first down, then executed another keeper play to convert on a fourth-and-two situation with less than a minute left.

“Ben’s also a really good, solid player. He can throw the ball well. He’s fast. He moves quick,” Lambrecht said. “If he just gets things slowed down in his head a bit more, things will be really good for him. He did great. He takes control out there in the huddle.”

Lambrecht said he thinks Palmer will be healthy to play later this week, but it’s ultimately up to the doctor and the trainer.

Red River added its final touchdown on its last possession, finishing a 54-yard drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass. The game had already been put away by that point.

Devils Lake still assured the No. 4 seed from the East in the playoffs. Wahpeton beat Grand Forks Red River 35-9 to shore up the No. 3 seed and eliminate Red River in the process. Devils Lake will travel to play the No. 1 seed from the West, Minot North, in the first round of the playoffs on Friday at 12 p.m.

The Firebirds had to wait for the result of the Wahpeton-Grand Forks Central game, as it was still going on when the game in Devils Lake ended. If Central had won, the Firebirds could have been bumped out of the picture entirely.

“Our guys are ready when we find out,” Lambrecht said. “And I know they’ll be ready on Monday if we get in. And they’ll come ready to work hard.”