Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

Rockets blast Bearcats

The traditional team walk across the railroad tracks to Jim Johnson Field set the scene for a phenomenally-successful home opener for the NR-S Rocket football team in 2019.

The Rockets scored 66 first half points, and took off the gas in the second half while the defense did the rest of the work in recording a 74-0 shutout over the North Star Bearcats Friday night, August 30.

Statistical comparisons went all NR-S' way, outgaining North Star by an eye-popping 436-11 margin in total yardage. Much of that came on the ground, with the Rockets finishing with 280 yards and a 109-yard outing by senior Hunter Thompson on just five carries.

NR-S quarterback Johnny Grann misfired on just one of his six passes, throwing for 151 yards and three touchdowns.

Sophomore receiver Nick Berglund got the Rockets on the board with an 11-yard touchdown, and the rock kept rolling from there with 38 first-quarter points.

The big plays on offense for NR-S were as prevalent as ever. Nathan Holzwarth brought in two first-quarter long scores of 49 and 53 yards, while Thompson churned for 17 and 42-yard scoring jaunts after punching one in from 24 yards in the opening period.

Bo Belquist had three more scores on 27 and 44-yard sprints for six and a punt return to the house from 47 yards out. The scoring concluded with a 75-yard touchdown by sophomore Kaden Jensen in the third.

Berglund, along with Nick Presnell, were the top tacklers with six stops each.

NR-S (2-0, 2-0) had their first big test this past Friday, if this past week's nine-man poll is an indicator. The St. John Woodchucks, also 2-0 and ranked fifth, came to town to face the top-rated Rockets in a key Region 2 seeding showdown.

 The Rockets have their bye week this next week, before returning to Jim Johnson Park Friday night, September 20, for Homecoming festivities when the North Border Eagles (0-2, 0-2) come to New Rockford. The royalty candidates, including the King and Queen, will be recognized at halftime.

Nine-Man Region 2 Football

NR-S 74, North Star 0

at New Rockford

N. Star 0 0 0 0 0

NR-S 38 28 8 0 74

First Quarter

NR-S: Nick Berglund 11 yard pass from Johnny Grann (Thompson run)

NR-S: Thompson 24 yard run (Bo Belquist pass from Grann)

NR-S: Belquist 44 yard run (pass failed)

NR-S: Nathan Holzwarth 49 yard pass from Grann (Belquist pass from Grann)

NR-S: Holzwarth 53 yard pass from Grann (Berglund pass from Grann)

Second Quarter

NR-S: Thompson 17 yard run (Belquist pass from Grann)

NR-S: Thompson 42 yard run (run failed)

NR-S: Belquist 46 yard punt return (run failed)

NR-S: Belquist 27 yard run (Belquist run)

Third Quarter

NR-S: Kaden Jensen 75 yard run (Elijah Dean-Scott run)

NR-S Statistics

Offense

Passing: Grann 5-6-151 yards-3 TD

Rushing: Thompson 5-109-3 TD; Jensen 1-75-TD; Belquist 2-52-2 TD; Billy Fleming 6-51; Hayden Meier 4-12; Elijah Dean-Scott 2-4; Trevor Waldo 1-0; Berglund 2-(-3); Grann 2-(-18)

Receiving: Holzwarth 3-123-3 TD; Belquist 1-17; Berglund 1-11-TD

Defense

Tackles (unassisted-assisted): Berglund (4-2); Jensen (2-0); Thompson (2-1); Belquist (2-2); Nick Presnell (2-4); Alex Harrison (2-0); Meier (1-2); Holzwarth (1-0); Cole Johnson (1-3); Hunter Johnson (1-3); Evan Ulrich (1-0); Dawson Clifton (1-0); Fleming (0-1); Waldo (0-1); Koby Duda (0-2); Colt Soderholm (0-1); Jordan Boehm (0-1); Ben Schaefer (0-1)

Interceptions: Belquist 2