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North Branch and Two Harbors traded punches throughout Friday night’s season opener, but it was the Agates who landed the final one in a 28-20 overtime loss for the Vikings.

After the Vikings rallied from an early deficit and twice took the lead in the second half, Two Harbors forced overtime and eventually escaped North Branch with a 28-20 victory Friday, Sept. 4.

The two teams traded empty possessions early before Two Harbors began leaning on its physical running game. The Agates marched all the way to the North Branch 16-yard line, but on fourth-and-one, the Viking defense came up with a big stop to force a turnover on downs.

North Branch responded with its first big offensive play of the night. Facing third-and-nine, quarterback Will Determan found running back Apollo Leija down the seam for a 32-yard gain to midfield. A holding penalty eventually stalled the drive, however, and a partially blocked punt gave Two Harbors excellent field position.

The Agates took advantage, using a quarterback scramble and shovel pass among several big plays before punching in the game's first touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, leaving Two Harbors ahead 6-0.

Penalties derailed North Branch's next possession, but the Vikings got a break when Two Harbors took over near midfield late in the half. An Agate receiver dropped what looked like a sure touchdown on the first play, and Two Harbors fumbled on the next snap to give North Branch another opportunity.

This time the Vikings cashed in.

North Branch put together a methodical drive, highlighted by a big completion from Determan on third-and-long. The quarterback eventually finished the drive himself, making a defender miss near the goal line before scoring the Vikings' first touchdown of the season.

The conversion failed, sending the teams into halftime tied 6-6.

North Branch carried that momentum into the third quarter.

The Vikings received the second-half kickoff and immediately put together one of their best drives of the night, with Nolan Bahr and Determan doing much of the damage on the ground. Bahr capped it with a one-yard touchdown plunge, and North Branch converted the two-point try to take its first lead of the season at 14-6.

The defense followed by forcing a quick three-and-out, but more special teams trouble soon changed the game.

Pinned at its own 16-yard line, North Branch lost five yards on three plays and was forced to punt from deep in its own territory. The Viking punter stumbled after receiving the snap in the end zone, and although he stayed on his feet, the kick was blocked. Two Harbors recovered at the North Branch 11, and a few plays later the Agates were in the end zone, and a successful two-point conversion tied the game at 14.

The Vikings opened the ensuing possession with a big run and continued to move the ball downfield before finishing the drive with a physical 16-yard touchdown run, with the North Branch ball carrier dragging a pair of defenders into the end zone. The Vikings were stuffed on their two-point try, though, keeping Two Harbors within striking distance at 20-14.

The Agates answered with a drive of their own, picking up several chunk plays to move deep into Viking territory.

North Branch appeared to have come up with the game-changing turnover when a Viking defender ripped the ball away from the Two Harbors quarterback near the 20-yard line. It was a razor-thin call, but officials ruled the quarterback was down before the ball came loose, allowing the Agates to keep possession.

The real backbreaker came a few plays later. North Branch's defense had forced Two Harbors into a fourth-and-13 from the 21-yard line and was one stop away from taking over and being able to nearly salt the game away. Instead, the Agates dialed up a reverse handoff pass that completely fooled the Viking defense, leaving a receiver wide open for the tying touchdown.

North Branch's defense stuffed the two-point conversion, keeping the score knotted at 20.

Neither team could break the tie on its final possession, sending the season opener to overtime.

Under Minnesota high school overtime rules, each team receives a possession from the 10-yard line. Two Harbors went first and scored on its third play before adding the two-point conversion for a 28-20 advantage.

North Branch had its chance to answer. After being stopped for no gain on first down, Determan spotted a receiver wide open in the end zone on second down, but his pass sailed just beyond the receiver's reach, and the sideline deflated as Determan pounded his head in frustration.

The Vikings eventually faced fourth down with their season opener hanging in the balance. Determan dropped back to pass but couldn't find an open receiver and was forced to scramble. The Agates brought him down at the four-yard line, ending the Vikings' comeback bid and sealing the 28-20 Two Harbors victory.

It was a frustrating finish for North Branch after the Vikings had twice taken the lead and had several opportunities to swing the game in their favor. Penalties and two blocked punts proved too costly to overcome.

The Vikings (0-1) will now hit the road looking for their first victory when they travel to Hibbing Friday, Sept. 11. The Bluejackets opened their season with a 14-2 victory over Pine City.

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