This story was written and all photos were taken by Glenwood Herald Sports Editor Paul Shepard.
The Centerpoint Knights struggled to find their footing Friday night as Bismarck dominated on both sides of the ball, easing to a 40-6 victory that left the Knights looking to regroup before their regular-season finale against conference-leading Prescott.
Bismarck scored four touchdowns in the first half to build a 26-0 lead, then added two more in the third quarter before Centerpoint finally got on the scoreboard with an 88-yard kickoff return by Braxton Martin.
The loss came against one of the strongest teams in the conference, with the Lions’ defense limiting Centerpoint to just 52 yards rushing and 105 yards passing.
The trip to Bismarck was memorable even before the game began.
The distance isn’t all that far in terms of miles, but the roadway, humorously labeled a “highway,” is a twisty, curvy ribbon of asphalt worthy of a roller coaster at any amusement park. It’s the kind of road where you ask young children if they need to vomit as you roll along, lurching from side to side.
Fortunately, I was traveling with an expert driver who was very familiar with Highway 84, but I still closed my eyes at times as a curve took us either up or down to the next short, straight stretch.
Upon arrival, it was a perfect night for football. The threat of rain had been pushed back a few hours, and Bismarck boosters, no doubt feeling the Halloween spirit, had constructed a “graveyard” to greet fans of both teams.
Buried were the teams Bismarck had already beaten this season. How cute.
The stands were filled with fans of both teams. The sidelines, however, were far too narrow, crowded with Centerpoint’s cheer squad, football team, coaches and support personnel. During the game, following the ball with a camera became a challenge. Moving through the narrow canyon between the team and cheerleaders meant bumping elbows and saying “excuse me” often.
The Knights experienced an early win, one of only a few bright spots for the night, when they won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.
Centerpoint picked up a first down on its initial possession before eventually punting to Bismarck, which returned the ball to the Knights’ 35-yard line.
The Lions moved deep into Centerpoint territory, but the Knights’ defense came up with a big stop. On third down at the Centerpoint 8-yard line, Zaiden Allen and Gunner Kerberskey sacked the Bismarck quarterback, pushing the Lions back to the 18.
Bismarck advanced to the 5 on fourth down but came up short of the first down, turning the ball over to Centerpoint.
Pinned near their own goal line, the Knights began moving the ball. Quarterback Tony Valdez connected with Braxton Martin for a first down at the 22, then found Ely Welch for another first down near midfield.
A penalty and stiff Lions defense slowed the drive. Valdez completed a pass to tight end Carson Cook, but Centerpoint eventually faced fourth-and-5 at the 48-yard line. His next pass fell incomplete, giving Bismarck possession near midfield.
The Lions wasted little time, breaking loose for a 48-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good, putting Bismarck ahead 7-0 with 1:24 remaining in the first quarter.
Just an observation: The home team’s color commentator’s bias, blasted over the stadium’s loud and effective sound system, became grating.
“And now the score is: Centerpoint ZERO and your gorgeous, talented, esteemed and worthy Bismarck Lions SEVEN.”
OK, maybe not that bad, but close. It became a bit much to bear, but the Knights weren’t able to respond in a manner necessary to shut him up, or at least tone him down a bit.
Such was the night.
Jayden Tyrrell returned the ensuing kickoff to the Centerpoint 35, but the Knights couldn’t get much going offensively and punted as the second quarter began.
Bismarck took over at its own 40 with 11:30 remaining in the half. A long run moved the Lions to the Centerpoint 14, and a touchdown pass followed. The extra point made it 14-0 with 10:08 left in the second quarter.
“Centerpoint ZERO, your marvelous Lions FOURTEEN!”
I was hoping the sound system would malfunction.
Martin returned the next kickoff to the Knights’ 38, but another Centerpoint drive stalled. The Knights punted with 8:22 remaining in the half.
Bismarck wasted little time. Its quarterback broke free on a 50-yard touchdown run, the Lions’ third score of the game. The extra-point attempt failed, leaving Bismarck ahead 20-0.
“Centerpoint ZERO, your BISMARCK LIONS TWENTY.”
I was learning to discreetly cover my ears.
Centerpoint returned the next kickoff to its 39-yard line but couldn’t sustain a drive. The Knights punted again with 6:15 remaining, and the Lions returned the ball to the Centerpoint 31.
Bismarck drove into the end zone, with a fumble on the scoring play recovered by a Lions player. Centerpoint stopped the two-point conversion attempt, but the lead had grown to 26-0.
“Centerpoint ZERO; your majestic LIONS — TWENTY-SIX.”
I uncovered my ears in time to watch Martin return what seemed like the fifth kickoff of the first half, this time to the Knights’ 29 with 4:05 remaining.
Centerpoint finally put together a promising drive. Valdez scrambled for a first down at the 39, and the Knights advanced to the Bismarck 25 with 25 seconds remaining.
A holding penalty pushed Centerpoint back, but Valdez connected with Welch to keep the drive alive. With 10 seconds remaining, another pass was intercepted by the Lions as time expired.
The halftime score was 26-0.
The break was punctuated by admirable performances from both cheer squads and marching bands. As an aside, both Centerpoint and Bismarck are scheduled to compete for statewide Class 3A marching band titles at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock on Nov. 11.
The second half began with Centerpoint kicking off to Bismarck, which started at its own 46-yard line.
Three plays later, the Lions were back in the end zone. The extra-point kick was good, extending the lead to 33-0 just 27 seconds into the third quarter.
Hands over ears.
“Centerpoint — ZERO; those beautiful LIONS — THIRTY-THREE!”
Centerpoint began its next possession at its own 27 and managed to string together three first downs. But Bismarck’s defense eventually stopped the drive, taking over on downs at its own 27.
The Lions again moved quickly, with their quarterback finishing the drive on a 23-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good, making it 40-0.
“Centerpoint — ZERO, your LIONS — FORTY!”
With that lead, the running-clock rule took effect. The clock no longer stopped for first downs, incomplete passes or plays going out of bounds. It would stop only for timeouts or injuries.
It’s called the “mercy rule,” and it can sting.
But the Knights weren’t finished.
With about 1:30 remaining in the third quarter, Bismarck’s kickoff sailed deep into Centerpoint territory. Martin fielded the ball, followed his blockers, evaded tackles and raced 88 yards into the Lions’ end zone for the Knights’ lone touchdown of the night.
The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score at 40-6.
A somewhat restrained color commentator reported, “Centerpoint — SIX; your Lions — FORTY!”
Bismarck began its next possession at its own 40 as the fourth quarter got underway. With the clock running continuously and the Lions using backup players, Bismarck fumbled near midfield.
Centerpoint’s Mason Pinkerton recovered the ball with 9:45 remaining.
The Knights moved into Bismarck territory but eventually faced third-and-20 at the Lions’ 35. Unable to convert, Centerpoint turned the ball over on downs with 5:15 left.
The Knights’ defense provided another bright spot when Joe Neighbors intercepted an errant Bismarck pass, giving Centerpoint possession at its own 35 with 3:20 remaining.
Centerpoint ran several plays featuring its big running back, Hayden Dodson, but the clock expired before the Knights could accomplish much more.
The sound system blared something to underscore the extent of the home team’s victory. I also noticed that the scoreboard, displaying Bismarck’s 40-6 win, remained illuminated for a long time after the game ended.
Most scoreboards at games I’ve attended this season are turned off not long after the contest is complete.
The Knights finished with just 52 net rushing yards, probably their lowest total of the season.
Valdez completed 9 of 15 passes to five different receivers for 105 yards, with one interception on the final play of the first half.
Welch led Centerpoint’s receivers with 50 yards.
Defensively, Neighbors recorded an interception, Allen was credited with a sack for a 10-yard loss, and Parker Bailey led the Knights with six tackles.
Now the Knights need to lick their wounds and prepare for a Thursday night Senior Night contest at home against the conference-leading Prescott Curley Wolves on Nov. 5.
These same Wolves are the only conference team to have avoided being “buried” in Bismarck’s Halloween-inspired graveyard, which was prominently displayed as fans entered Lions Stadium.
While Centerpoint was losing to Bismarck, Prescott defeated Smackover 35-30 in a hard-fought contest to remain unbeaten in conference play.
With one regular-season game remaining, Prescott, Bismarck, Smackover and Centerpoint appear positioned to advance to the Class 3A state playoffs, likely finishing in that order.
As the conference’s fourth seed, Centerpoint would travel to face the champion of another conference in the opening round of the playoffs.
For now, the Knights have one more regular-season challenge ahead of them — and an opportunity to give their seniors a memorable final home game.
