Victor Gronvold (#3) runs the ball in the Shrine Bowl 11-Man East Team game.

The fourth time is the charm.

After three years of losing to the West, the East won the 11-man all-star Shrine Bowl Sunday at Gate City Bank Field in Fargo.

The east was able to get momentum early, with Hillsboro-Central Valley quarterback Jake Preston connecting with Rugby’s Ryan Michels on a 34-yard pass as well as a fourth-down conversion in the red zone. Preston running it in for a yard, followed by a kick from Grand Forks-Red River’s Zac Kuntz put the east in an early 7-0 lead.

The west got on the board after a 34-yard field goal from Bismarck Century’s Zach Sweep, and Beulah quarterback Casey Walcker ran in a 2-yard touchdown. The east fired back after a 10-play, 69-yard drive ended with a second 1-yard TD.

After halftime, as well as six plays and 51 yards, Rugby’s Victor Gronvold (who was also 12 carries for 34 yards) ran three yards for a score.

With just 5:17 left in the game, Walcker connected with Beulah’s Cory Alt on a 64-yard passing touchdown.

“We only ran six plays from our (Beulah’s) offense,” said West coach Jim Dooley, of Beulah. “Kind of nice to relive last season for just a moment.”

After the west got the ball back, Larimore’s Issac Holter intercepted a pass, ending the game in the east’s favor.

“It was a well-played game,” East coach Jeremy Newton, of West Fargo-Sheyenne High School, said, “and I was happy with how it went.”

Hunter Hager, also of Rugby, was listed on the 11-man east roster.

9-MAN

North Prairie Quarterback Jalen Pfeifer handed the pigskin off to Richardton-Taylor-Hebron powerhouse Denver Colgrove, who made his way to a first down.

That play set up a another, one in which Pfeifer connected with Stephen-Argyle’s Max Yutrzenka on a 14-yard pass for a touchdown.

After a scoreless first quarter, Travor Flaa (Richland) ran for a 6-yard TD, with teammate Brady Heyen connecting with Wyndmere-Lidgerwood’s Adolfo Vasquez on a 2-point conversion in the second.

The west wasn’t on the board until the third quarter, with two short rushing TDs from Pfeifer and Kyler Melby (Kenmare-Bowbells).

The east’s final points came with Kittson County Central’s Dylan Olsonawski connecting with Cavalier’s Cody Walton on a 24-yard touchdown pass.

Also on the roster from area teams were Tayler Scott (North Prairie), Seth Vivier, Dalton Poitra (St. John), Blaine Rosencrans, Lane Schmitt and Evan Burckhard (TGU).

– Tribune Staff Report