Vikings edge Jimmies to retain Paint Bucket

The Jimmies blew too many good opportunities.

The Vikings bent, but didn't break and as a result the Paint Bucket stays in Valley City.

Derek Elliott's game-opening 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was a perfect start for the 20th-ranked Vikings as they nipped Jamestown College for the third time in two years 13-10 Saturday at Rollie Greeno Field.

“We tell our guys, tough times never endure, but tough people do. … It’s extremely disappointing, extremely frustrating, but we just have to keep moving forward,” JC head coach Shawn Frank said. “When we look at the tape, we’ll see a lot of good things. But this is a results-orientated business, that’s the bottom line.”

The Jimmies dominated the first three quarters, but they wasted great field position five times, piled up six penalties, missed two field goals and had a number of drops and poor throws, which stunted drives and left points on the field.

After Elliott's early heroics put the Vikings in front, the Jimmies started their first three drives of the game in Valley City State territory, but got zero points out of it thanks to a missed field goal, a punt and an interception.

A good second quarter drive by the Jimmies ended in another wasted opportunity when Ryan Benke's 36-yard field goal was blocked.

Jamestown College had a good drive to start the second half and Craig Anderson cashed it in for 3 points on a 26-yard field goal.

But the Vikings followed with their best drive of the game as Taylor Cino finished off a 9-play drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.

The Jimmies punched one in late when Gus Ramasco hit Michael Sena for a 6-yard touchdown with just three seconds left, but the ensuing onside kick was recovered by the Vikings to ice it.

“This game is what small-college football is all about,” said Valley City State coach Dennis McCulloch. “It may not have been the prettiest game, but it was a very competitive game in a great atmosphere.

“I’ve been involved in these games for 19 years and win or loss, there’s nothing better.”

Valley City State 13, Jamestown College 10

Vikings 7 0 6 0 — 13

Jimmies 0 0 3 7 — 3

Scoring summary

First quarter

VCSU—Derek Elliott 90 yard kickoff return (Thomas Cortez), 14:46.

Second quarter

No scoring.

Third quarter

JC—Craig Anderson 26 field goal, 10:26.

VCSU—Taylor Cino 2 run (kick failed), 6:10.

Fourth quarter

JC—Michael Sena 6 pass from Gus Ramasco (Benke kick), :03.

Team statistics

VCSU JC

First downs 12 20

Rushes-yards 37-129 43-215

Comp-Att-Int 8-18-0 13-34-1

Passing yards 104 120

Total offense 233 335

Fumbles-lost 0-0 0-0

Punts-avg. 6-32 5-46

Penalties-yards 9-58 7-61

Individual statistics

Valley City State

Rushing: Taylor Cino 17-79, Trevor Goerts 6-23, Derek Elliott 8-22, Tommy Zinke 3-3, Colton Growden 1-2.

Passing: Zinke 8-18 104 yards

Receiving: Elliott 2-38, Ken Eliacin 3-32, Colby Lum 2-26, Jacob Miller 1-8.

Jamestown College

Rushing: Lance Johansen 24-169, Matt Mithaugen 11-55, Gus Ramasco 8-(-9).

Passing: Ramasco 13-33 120 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Receiving: Tyler Spanton 2-37, Michael Sena 4-25, Matt Wilson 1-13, Derrick Dohmann 2-18, Jay Bachman 1-10, Trent Roemmich 1-10, Jacob Erbes 1-7, Michael Sena 1-6.

Records: Valley City State 3-1; Jamestown College 1-4.

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