Rockets soar past Eagles

The New Rockford-Sheyenne Rockets took on the North Border Eagles on Friday, Aug. 26 for their 2022 home opener.

After losing the first game of the season in McVille, the Rockets were hoping to bounce back the following week, and that's exactly what they did.

In their loss to Nelson County, the Rockets struggled to find consistency on the ground, an area NR-S Head Coach Elliott Belquist said before the season would be a focus of their offense this year.

But a rejuvenated run game against the Eagles meant the home crowd had plenty to cheer for Friday evening, as the Rockets were able to move the ball on the ground decisively all night long.

"I think our kids are just getting more comfortable with our new scheme, with what we're doing," said Rockets' Head Coach, Elliott Belquist. "They're figuring out how to move people and we're finishing blocks and by the third and fourth quarter people were laying on their backs."

Connor Knatterud was particularly explosive. In just 10 attempts he logged 109 rushing yards and scored a touchdown. His speed routinely allowed him to get the edge and turn up field, as the Eagles simply lacked the speed to keep up.

Meanwhile, Bradyn Collier and Haydon Meier were also efficient, respectively amassing 86 and 95 yards on the ground, and they too notched a touchdown each.

There were also areas where NR-S struggled, however.

In the second quarter, just as it seemed the Rockets were taking control, terrible tackling and a fumble allowed the Eagles to score back-to-back touchdowns in quick succession, giving them an 18-14 lead with 3:29 left in the half.

"Big thing on defense was tackling," said Belquist. "There were a couple times there where we just didn't wrap up and they made some big plays."

Thankfully for NR-S, Knatterud and the offense kept humming. They scored another touchdown with 27 seconds left before halftime, and scored again to start the third, giving them a 30-18 lead.

But the Rockets' defense and offensive turnovers remained a liability. Before long the Eagles scored a quick touchdown followed by another NR-S fumble, putting NR-S perilously close to losing their lead.

The Eagles drove to within the Rockets' 5-yard line, and seemed poised to score. Then, finally, the NR-S defense stood their ground, stopping their opponents on three straight plays and forcing a pivotal fourth down.

Rockets' senior Trevor Waldo was lined up opposite a North Borders wide receiver as the fourth-down play unfolded. In the eyes of the Eagles' quarterback, however, it was Waldo that must have looked the wide receiver.

Shortly after the ball was snapped, the quarterback rolled left and practically threw the football into Waldo's lap. The nearly 100-yard pick-6 that followed put NR-S squarely in control.

"It was the first time I've been on defense this year, so I was nervous already," said Waldo about his thoughts as he lined up on fourth down. "I could just kind of feel it, that we needed that stop. It was a one-score game so if we got it there we'd have more control and probably win the game at that point.

"I saw he threw it at me, and I was like 'gotta make a play, gotta do your thing,'" added Waldo, "and then I did, so, it was dope."

From that point forward, the Rockets did not relinquish their lead. They effectively ran out the clock, and Luke Yri came down with another fourth-quarter interception.

The game ended 36-26 in the Rockets' favor, making their overall record 1-1 on the season.

Meanwhile, Junior High and Junior Varsity football enjoyed strong starts to their season, defeating the FW/M Indians 22-16 and 20-0, respectively on Monday, Aug. 29.

Jackson Schumacher, Easton Simon and Aaden Benson were standouts defensively for the Rockets' JV squad, as each came up with an interception. Malaki Kukowski also had an impressive moment when he broke through the offensive line and sacked the Indians' quarterback.

9-man Varsity

Non-Region Football

NR-S 36, NB 26

Friday, Aug. 26

at New Rockford

NR-S: 6 16 8 6 = 36

NB: 6 12 8 0 = 26

First Quarter:

NB: 26-yard pass (failed two-point conversion)

NR-S: Bradyn Collier 25-yard run (failed two-point conversion)

Second Quarter:

NR-S: Easton Benz 14-yard pass from Bennett Meier (Knatterud run for two-point conversion)

NB: 65-yard pass (failed two-point conversion)

NB: 5-yard run (failed two-point conversion)

NR-S: Connor Knatterud 10-yard run (Haydon Meier run for two-point conversion)

Third Quarter:

NR-S: Haydon Meier 4-yard run (Connor Knatterud run for two-point conversion)

NB: 31-yard pass (two-point conversion)

Fourth Quarter:

NR-S: Trevor Waldo interception return (failed two-point conversion)

NR-S stats:

Passing: B. Meier 2-for-3 for 27 yards and a TD, one interception.

Rushing: Knatterud 10 attempts for 109 yards and one TD; H. Meier 19 attempts for 95 yards and one TD; B. Collier 17 attempts for 86 yards and one TD; Yri one attempt for four yards; B. Meier six attempts for three yards.

Receiving: Easton Benz two receptions for 27 yards and a TD.

Tackling (unassisted, assisted): Knatterud (4, 4); H. Meier (3, 3); Easton Benz (3, 2); Brody Weisenburger (2, 5); Yri (1, 1); D.J. Mudgett (1, 1), 1 sack, 1 TFL; Keaton Cudworth (1, 2); Kailar Jacobson (1, 5); Kage Walford (1, 0), 1 TFL; Collier (0, 3); Easton Simon (0, 2); Alex Weisenburger (0, 2).