Rockets bulldoze Bearcats

On Sept. 10, the Jim Johnson Field looked more like a construction zone than a football field, as the New-Rockford Sheyenne Rockets (2-2, 1-0) bulldozed the North Star Bearcats (1-3, 0-1), kicking off regional competition with an important 46-24 win.

On a night when coach Belquist's new-look offense needed to perform, the Rockets did exactly that. Kaden Jensen and Haydon Meier were unstoppable on the ground, combining for four touchdowns to go with 359 yards rushing. Meanwhile, the defense came up with four interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns, and held the Bearcats to just six points in the second half.

But despite all that, this game didn't always look so promising for the Rockets. Spearheaded by quarterback Dane Hagler, the Bearcats offense ran up an impressive 12-0 lead early in the first half. Hagler was especially potent in combination with running back-turned wide receiver, Garrett Westlind.

After their loss to Bottineau, Rockets' head coach Elliot Belquist said he felt his team giving up after falling behind early. But on Friday, they showed maturity and growth down the stretch. Thanks to their ground game and ever-stiffening defense, NR-S battled back to go into halftime with an 18-18 tie.

"I think we're figuring things out," said Belquist about his young team. "A lot of these kids haven't played in many big games ... We're starting to get the effort throughout the entire game, and it was good to see this week how we got down, and we didn't panic."

Where the Bearcats enjoyed prolonged, time-consuming drives, the Rockets relied on explosive bursts of the offense with help from splash plays on defense. During a span of seven plays in the second and third quarter, all but three were lengthy touchdown runs, including a 74-yard and 56-yard sprint from Meier and Jensen, respectively.

"We haven't run the ball like this for quite a few years, and I think they're starting to figure out how to read blocks, and the linemen are doing a great job making some nice holes," said Belquist. "They're just getting more comfortable reading the blocks and getting out in the open, and learning how to put the shoulder down to get those tough yards."

The Rockets' offense might have continued that level of production in the second half, but their own defense wouldn't allow it. Once under pressure, the Bearcats' quarterback made woeful mistakes, and the Rockets' defense was more than willing to capitalize. Four interceptions and three pick sixes later, the game was effectively over without the offense having to break a sweat.

NR-S had just one week to adjust to life without their starting quarterback, and they couldn't have responded with more poise in the following games. Their dominant ground attack ran over both North Star and St. John, and their young defense continues to improve. Despite a slow start to the season, NR-S is beginning to look like they will be dangerous playoff contenders.

"I think we're more than capable of winning the region, and then from there whatever happens in the playoffs happens," said Belquist. "We have to get better, but I feel like we can win every game we play in the rest of the year."

New Rockford-Sheyenne continues regional competition on the road against Fort Totten on Friday, Sept. 17.

Nine-Man Regional Football

Friday, Sept. 10

NR-S 46, North Star 24

NR-S 0 18 22 6

North Star: 6 12 6 0

First quarter:

North Star: 32-yard touchdown pass from Dane Hagler (conversion failed)

Second quarter:

North Star: 5-yard touchdown pass from Dane Hagler (conversion failed)

NR-S: Kaden Jensen 38-yard touchdown pass (conversion failed)

North Star: 14-yard touchdown pass from Dane Hagler (conversion failed)

NR-S: Kaden Jensen 56-yard touchdown run (conversion failed)

NR-S: Haydon Meier 74-yard touchdown run (conversion failed)

Third quarter:

NR-S: Haydon Meier 65-yard touchdown run (Haydon Meier ran for successful conversion)

North Star: 5-yard touchdown run (conversion failed)

NR-S: Connor Knatterud 25-yard interception return for a touchdown (conversion failed)

NR-S: Kaden Jensen 81-yard interception return for a touchdown (Nick Berglund pass from Bennett Meier for successful conversion)

Fourth Quarter:

NR-S: Koby Duda 23-yard interception return (conversion failed)

NR-S Statistics

Passing: H. Meier, 2-of-4 for 34 yards; B. Meier, 1-of-2 for 9 yards.

Rushing: H. Meier, 182 yards on 12 attempts and two touchdowns; Jensen, 177 yards on 10 attempts and two touchdowns; Knatterud, 7 yards on two attempts.

Receiving: Berglund, 26 yards on two receptions; Jensen, 17 yards on one reception.

Tackles: (unassisted-assisted) Jensen (11-4); Duda (8-7); H. Meier (3-3); Benz (3-6); Knatterud (2-1); Berglund (2-6); Cudworth (2-2); Boehm (2-2); Mudgett (1-3); Jacobson (1-1); Waldo (0-3); Ulrich (0-2).

Sacks: K. Duda.

Interceptions: Jensen, Duda, Knatterud (2).