Dominance on Display

After two consecutive nail-biters in which their margin of victory was just two points, the Rockets' domination of Midway-Minto on Friday, Sept. 29 was a pleasant change of pace.

With a final score of 80-12, the Rockets' dominating display was perhaps the perfect way to celebrate Maddock Public School's first homecoming since joining New Rockford-Sheyenne in a football co-op ahead of this season.

The newly formed NR-S/M Rockets haven't lost a game in their young history, and the win over Midway-Minto brought their overall record to a perfect 6-0.

On paper, that Friday's game against the winless Mustangs was over before it even started, and in reality it was over before the end of the first quarter.

Early on in the first quarter there was a stretch when the Rockets had just three snaps on offense. Not because of turnovers or because the Mustangs were controlling time of possession, but because all three plays went for touchdowns.

That's about how most of the game went. Quarterback Easton Simon would throw the ball, and, provided the pass wasn't dropped by his receiver, it would go for another touchdown.

Simon finished the game going 10-of-14 for 300 yards and seven touchdowns.

The first quarter ended with a score of 40-0, and the Rockets would eventually enter halftime with a suffocating 64-6 advantage. The Mustangs' six points came from a kickoff returned for a touchdown.

At that point the second half was merely a formality, and the scoreboard operator simply allowed the clock to expire as the two teams played on.

Rockets' Head Coach Elliott Belquist eventually put in his reserves, and a few of the young Rockets made some excellent plays, including freshman Thomas Allmaras and sophomore Grant Engebretson.

The Mustangs managed one more touchdown against what was effectively the Rockets' JV team, but the final tally still showed a dominant victory for the Rockets.

Looking forward, it's clear the toughest portion of the Rockets' schedule is now behind them, and many are predicting a dominant end to what would be an undefeated regular season.

Belquist, however, says his team can't become complacent in the weeks ahead.

"We need to try to stay sharp," said Belquist. "Practice with a purpose and go out and do things right and not get complacent and lackadaisical. It's the coaches job to keep the kids motivated and interested each week, and we can't have any hiccups along the way here if we want the home playoff games."

Elsewhere in Class B 9-man football, the No. 2-Sergeant County Bulldogs out of Region 1 continued their undefeated season with a 52-18 win over Enderlin, and have yet to score less than 43 points in a game this season.

The No. 1-South Border Mustangs also continued their undefeated season, but against much stiffer competition – dominating the previously No. 5-ranked New-Salem Almont Holsteins 50-12.

Meanwhile, with their domination of Midway-Minto, the Rockets maintained their No. 3 ranking for another week. Also ranked in the top 5 this week are Westhope/Newburg/Glenburn at No. 4, and North Prairie at No. 5.

9-Man

Region 2 Football

NR-S/M 80, M-M 12

Friday, Sept. 29

at Maddock

First Quarter:

NR-S/M: Fossen 16-yard pass from Simon (failed two-point conversion)

NR-S/M: Maddock 55-yard pass from Simon (extra-point attempt good)

NR-S/M: Meier 33-yard pass from Simon (two-point conversion good)

NR-S/M: Olson 59-yard pass from Simon (two-point conversion good)

NR-S/M: D.J. Mudgett Safety

NR-S/M: Olson 37-yard pass from Simon (two-point conversion good)

Second Quarter:

NR-S/M: Andrew Brown 3-yard run (two-point conversion good)

M-M: 60-yard kickoff return (failed two-point conversion)

NR-S/M: C. Engebretson 40-yard pass from Simon (two-point conversion good)

NR-S/M: Meier 20-yard pass from Simon (two-point conversion good)

Third quarter:

NR-S/M: Olson 40-yard punt return (two-point conversion good)

Fourth quarter:

NR-S/M: Schumacher 25-yard run (two-point conversion good)

M-M: 3-yard run (failed two-point conversion)

NR-S/M Stats:

Passing: Simon 10-of-14, 300 yards, 7 TD.

Rushing: Carter Engebretson 49 yards; Grant Engebretson 28 yards; Schumacher 25 yards, 1 TD; Allmaras 20 yards; Collier 17 yards; Andrew Brown 3 yards, 1 TD.

Receiving: Olson 2 receptions, 96 yards, 2 TD; Meier 3 receptions, 68 yards, 2 TD; Maddock 1 reception, 55 yards, 1 TD; C. Engebretson 1 reception, 40 yards, 1 TD; Cudworth 1 reception, 22 yards; Fossen 1 reception, 16 yards, 1 TD; Walford 1 reception, 3 yards.

Tackles: (unassisted-assisted): C. Engebretson (4-0), 2 TFL; Maddock (3-1), 1 TFL; Mudgett (3-0), 3 TFL; Colton Green (3-1), 3 TFL; Schumacher (1-0); Collier (1-1); Fossen (1-0), 1 TFL; Jacobson (1-1), 1 TFL.

Sacks: Mudgett (3); Green (3); Engebretson (1); Jacobson (1).

Interceptions: Cudworth (1), Maddock (1).

Safety: Mudgett (1).