Sep. 23—MAYVILLE, N.D. — A Grand Forks Central reunion in Mayville State’s offensive backfield has the Comets reaching new heights.
Former Knights Jack Simmers and Dylan LaMont played key roles in last Saturday’s 26-20 win over the University of Jamestown, which was Mayville State’s first win over the Jimmies since 2000.
LaMont, a 6-foot-2 sophomore quarterback, was 8-for-10 passing for 147 yards and a touchdown.
Simmers, a true freshman who led the Knights to a state championship appearance in 2023, has been playing in the wildcat quarterback formation, as he did last season at Central. He had 21 carries for 79 yards against UJ. He ran for a touchdown and threw for another.
“Man, he’s a good player,” Mayville State coach Rocky Larson said of Simmers. “I knew he was good. I didn’t realize all the different skill-sets he had when we went through the recruiting process. I knew he’d play as a freshman but he’s found a package as a wildcat quarterback. I’m not sure I had him throwing a touchdown pass on my bingo card this year.
“He throws it well enough that people have to defend it. He’s also tough enough to handle all those carries. He’s one of the most unique kids I’ve ever coached in college football. He really has mental toughness. I’m very impressed.”
Simmers and LaMont were thrust into quarterback roles when senior all-conference starter Tim Salmon suffered a career-ending foot injury on his second drive of the season.
The Comets went from an offensive gameplan of throwing possibly more than 50 times per game to a multiple-quarterback system that leans more on field position and ball control.
LaMont transferred to Mayville last season after spending his first year at Valley City State. He had to sit out last season due to transfer rules and ran the Comets’ scout team.
“Dylan is playing at a high level,” Larson said. “His arm is live. He can throw it 50 to 60 yards.”
After trailing Jamestown 14-0 early in the game, Mayville State’s turnaround was sparked by Xyler Carlson, a sophomore from Finley, N.D.
Carlson returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown to ignite the Comets to a 20-point second quarter.
Carlson is also a starting free safety for the Comets after spending last year as a wide receiver.
“He can absolutely fly,” Larson said. “The fastest kid on our team is from Finley. I think that’s important. It’s something we haven’t had at Mayville with kids from the backyard like that. It’s maybe been 15-20 years. We have some momentum in the local area and are getting kids to stay home.”
Former Hatton-Northwood standout Kelby Azure starts at tight end for the Comets, while former East Grand Forks Sacred Heart athlete Daniel Suda starts at center.
Gunnar Jorgensen of Warren-Alvarado-Oslo is a senior starter on the defensive line.
Mayville State has 41 seniors. In Larson’s fifth year with the program, he calls them his COVID recruiting class.
As his print grows on the program, Larson is starting to see more milestones like last Saturday.
“That’s a big one, there’s no mistake,” he said. “I’ve had 60 texts from former players and boosters, guys saying we never beat Jamestown in my four years. I knew it was big when we were walking off the field but it wasn’t until Sunday when I realized that’s a big win for the Mayville campus … to go into Jamestown and do that on homecoming.”
