FARGO - Fargo Shanley, winner of only one high school football game last season, was still hoping for that elusive victory late in Friday night's season opener.

That's when visiting Century - led by quarterback Hunter Johnson - scored nine points in the final two minutes, 57 seconds to secure a 23-6 win at the Fargo South High School football field.

"It was amazing we were even in the game for as badly as we played offensively," said Shanley head coach Steve Laqua. "But we are a faster and stronger team, and a more confident team. We just need to get over that hump and get a win."

The only thing that hurt the Shanley defense was Johnson, who threw for 201 yards. Garret Jacobs caught seven of those passes for 129 yards.

"(Johnson) did a nice job - especially on third down," Laqua said.

Despite mustering only 51 total yards, Shanley found itself in a game against a Century team that posted an 8-1 record last year, losing in the state semifinals.

Trailing 14-0 late in the third quarter, the Deacons caught a break when a snap flew over the head of the Century punter. Shanley got the ball on the Century 18, and seconds into the final quarter, sophomore quarterback Myles Montplaisir scored on a 9-yard run to cut the lead to 14-6.

Shanley caught another break seconds later when Logan Hushka recovered a Century fumble. But on a fourth-and-one play from near midfield, Shanley's Mike Jones was stuffed for a 3-yard loss.

Minutes later, Century converted on a fourth-and-10 play when Johnson completed a 22-yard completion to Jacobs. That set up Johnson's 20-yard field goal to make it 17-6 with 2:57 remaining.

About 90 seconds later after Century recovered a Shanley fumble on the ensuing kickoff, Cody Willits scored on a 9-yard run to seal the win.

"Our defense played great," Laqua said. "It sounds like football out there. We did a lot of hitting out there."

Century 0 14 0 9 - 23

Shanley 0 0 0 6 - 6

Second Quarter

C - Bietz fumble recovery in end zone (Johnson kick)

C - Govig 4 pass from Johnson (Johnson kick)

Fourth Quarter

S - Montplaisir 9 run (run failed)

C -Johnson 20 FG

C - Willits 9 run (kick blocked

Individual statistics

RUSHING: Century - Emil 20-71, Govig 8-27, Willits 3-15. Shanley - Jones 6-10, Jagim 3-7, Hushka 3-1.

PASSING: Century - Johnson 12-20-0, 201 yards; Kartes 3-8-1, 16 yards. Shanley - Montplaisir 8-12-1, 34 yards.

RECEIVING: Century - Jacobs 7-129, Bietz 4-56, Govig 3-23, Emil 1-10. Shanley - Jagim 4-21, Jones 1-0, Rodenbiker 2-3.