DEVILS LAKE - It appeared St. Mary's was going to escape Roller Field with a second West Region road win over a No. 2 opponent in as many weeks. Devils Lake's Domingo Engberg had other ideas.

The junior wide receiver caught a 32-yard TD pass as time expired to give the Firebirds a thrilling 20-19 come-from-behind victory over St. Mary's on Friday, Oct. 2. Engberg hauled in the pass over the outstretched arms of SM defenders.

It was stinging loss for the Saints which took the lead 20-14 just moments earlier on a Keller Hertz-Barnett 9-yard pass from quarterback Patrick Richter. However, Devils Lake was able to get a decent kickoff return; benefit from a late-hit penalty and move the ball deep enough in SM territory for one final chance.

Defense dominated the first half of play as no points were scored, but plenty of action. Twice, St. Mary's held Devils Lake to no points when it had the ball inside its 10-yard line. It thrwarted another DL drive that stalled around the 20-yard line. Offensively, SM didn't get much traction going in the first half, but did break through in the third quarter. Richter hit Jake Miller on a 30-yard scoring strike on a fourth down and seven. That score staked the Saints to a 7-0 lead. It appeared St. Mary's was going to get the ball right back. However, a roughing the passer penalty kept the ball with the Firebirds after the pass was intercepted by SM. Eventually, Domino Engberg scored on a five-yard TD pass. Penalties were a bug-a-boo for SM as it committed a season-high 10 for 99 yards. After SM was forced to punt on its next possession, DL took advantage of a short punt into a stiff breez that left the ball deep in St. Mary's territory. It was Engberg again scoring on a five-yard pass from Gregory. St. Mary's quickly answered, however. Standout Beckett Price busted a run for 80-yards on the first play from scrimmage for a score. Price, who has missed most of the season due to an injury, rushed a handful of times in the half. Devils Lake won its fifth-straight game and improved to 5-1 overall, and 2-0 in the West Region. Meanwhile, St. Mary's dropped to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the West Region.

Next, St. Mary's will face Dickinson, who holds a 5-1 overall record, on October 9. Devils Lake will prepare to take on Minot North, also 5-1 overall, on the same date.