Trinity High School Titans Clinch 1979 North Dakota Class A State Championship

The Trinity High School football Titans secured their first state championship in any sport on November 10, 1979, defeating the defending titleholder Fargo South 27-14 at Whitney Stadium.

The victory capped an undefeated 12-0 season for the Titans, a campaign that saw the team outscore its opponents by a combined margin of 395-67.

The championship game, as reported by The Dickinson Press, was defined by a series of defensive stands and opportunistic offensive plays. Despite Fargo South holding a statistical edge in total yardage—finishing with 320 yards to Trinity’s 248—the Bruins could not overcome eight turnovers and two critical goal-line stands executed by the Trinity defense during the second quarter.

The Titans’ offensive production relied heavily on tailback Doug Hushka and fullback Perry Kovash. Hushka broke loose for a 49-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, while Kovash scored on a 61-yard reception in the third, a play that Trinity head coach Bill Nold noted was run to the weak side for the first time all season.

“That was a big one. Our kids realized then that, ‘Yeah, we can score on these guys,’”

said Bill Nold, Trinity head coach, regarding the Hushka touchdown that put the Titans on the board.

Fargo South, which concluded its season with an 11-1 record, opened the scoring with a 62-yard drive capped by a one-yard run from Rick Anderson in the first quarter. However, the Bruins’ momentum was consistently stalled by the Trinity secondary, specifically free safety Tom Keller, who recorded three interceptions during the contest, bringing his season total to 12.

The game turned decisively in the third quarter. Following Kovash’s touchdown, the Titans utilized a fumble recovery to set up another scoring drive, pushing their lead to 21-6. By the time the fourth quarter began, Trinity held a 27-6 advantage. While Fargo South managed a late rally to close the gap, Keller’s final interception extinguished the Bruins’ comeback attempt.

“We had our opportunities, but didn’t score. The difference was they broke the big play.”

said Dale Hertel, Fargo South head coach, as reported by The Dickinson Press. Hertel acknowledged the parity between the two programs, noting that the outcome might have shifted in a rematch.

The physical nature of the contest was evident in the second quarter, when Fargo South mounted a sustained drive to the Trinity one-yard line. The Titans’ defense, led by nose guard Curt Leiss and linebacker Brent Wandler, stopped the Bruins for a one-yard loss on fourth down. Nold characterized the defensive effort as “stubborn,” noting that the players maintained their poise under significant pressure.

The state title serves as a landmark moment in the history of Trinity High School athletics. The Titans’ dominance throughout the 1979 season was reflected in their ability to win every game by at least two touchdowns, a level of consistency that mirrored the team’s ability to capitalize on turnovers during the Dakota Bowl.

For the communities of southwest North Dakota, the 1979 season remains a benchmark for regional performance in high school football. The achievement is archived in the records of The Dickinson Press, providing a detailed look at a team that managed to overcome a statistically superior opponent through disciplined defense and key offensive execution.