Velva/Drake-Anamoose/Garrison wins NDHSAA Division A Football State Title

By Tom Mix
NDHSAA Media Specialist

FARGO – The 2024 NDHSAA Division A football state championship game was an instant classic.

When Velva/Drake-Anamoose/Garrison and Kindred met in the season opener on August 23 it figured to be great foreshadowing of what a matchup in the state championship game might look like if both teams were fortunate enough to qualify for the Dakota Bowl. The Vikings won the August 23 matchup 13-6, but the Aggies left Kindred knowing it could compete against the defending state champions.

As it turned out, both teams were who everyone thought they were as both the Vikings and Aggies played their way to Dakota Bowl XXXII for a rematch.

This time, however, Velva/Drake-Anamoose/Garrison would be the victors winning by a score of 14-12 in the 2024 NDHSAA Division A state championship game played Friday, November 15 at the FARGODOME.

It’s just tough to count out the Aggies in NDHSAA Dakota Bowl football championship games as the program remained perfect in Dakota Bowl title games (11-for-11). The state championship is the program’s 12 overall since 1975 when the NDHSAA began sponsoring football state championship games.

Leading the way for the Aggies was senior quarterback Benjamin Schepp who finished the game with 154 yards passing and two touchdowns.

Kindred got on the scoreboard first when senior quarterback Jake Starcevic scored on a 8-yard run in the first quarter. Kindred’s extra-point kick failed, giving the Vikings a 6-0 lead.

The Aggies answered Starcevic’s score later in the first quarter when Schepp connected with Reggie Bruner for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Velva’s two-point attempt failed and the game’s score remained locked at 6-6 heading into halftime.

Both squads were looking for a play to break the gridlock and give it momentum to propel it to victory. Ultimately, the big play that provided the spark needed fell the Aggies way.

Schepp connected with senior wide receiver Matt ​​Jochim for a 92 yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter. Treyson Iglehart caught a two-point pass from Schepp following the touchdown to give the Aggies a 14-6 lead.

Jochim’s 92 yard touchdown reception broke a Dakota Bowl record for longest pass reception (90-yards, Jon Griffith, Richland in 2005).

Kindred senior running back Kylan Swenson scored on a 3-yard run in the fourth quarter, but the Vikings’ two-point attempt failed.

Kindred ultimately forced a Velva punt with 1:18 remaining to get the ball back with no timeouts, but Starcevic was intercepted by Jochim on the third play of the possession at the Velva 25-yard line to seal it for the Aggies.

Kindred finished its season 12-1, ending a run of 24 straight wins dating back to its last defeat on Oct. 29, 2022.

Velva/Drake-Anamoose/Garrison finished the season 11-1.

BOX SCORE: VELVA/DRAKE-ANAMOOSE/GARRISON 14, KINDRED 12

2024 NDHSAA DIVISION A FOOTBALL STATE PLAYOFFS BRACKET

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