Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Senior Nick Berglund caught a picture perfect pass from QB Haydon Meier, then ran 77 yards for the Rockets only score of the game. He outpaced senior Charger Garrett Haakenson (#10).
Chargers wide receiver Cristian Fougner gets past two Rocket defenders.
The Rockets pre-game huddle
Senior recognition was held before the game.
King Hunter Jacobson and Queen Mya Cudworth
The New Rockford-Sheyenne Rockets (5-3,3-1) conceded the 2021 Region 3 Championship to the Nelson County Chargers (8-0,4-0) on Friday night, falling by a score of 16-6 for their first loss since late August.
The Chargers' defense entered Friday's championship showdown allowing just 12 points/game on average this season, by far the best in Region 3. It was a fact NR-S learned the hard way as their usually prolific ground attack was stymied all game long.
The result was a relatively straight forward first half; the Rockets would be pinned deep in their own territory, be forced to punt, and the Chargers would enjoy great field position the other way. If not for a picture perfect 77-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bennett Meier, NR-S would have done virtually nothing on offense before halftime.
"They're blitzers got us, and I don't think we sustained blocks that well," said Rockets head coach Elliott Belquist. "We'll see on film, but I don't think we got the same push that we've been getting the last five weeks."
Meanwhile, after giving up two touchdowns in the first half, the Rockets' defense stiffened as the game progressed. Nelson County's offense has averaged more than 44 points/game this season and haven't scored less than 36 since week 1. Nevertheless, NR-S kept the Chargers scoreless in the second half and gave themselves plenty of chances on offense.
"[Nelson County's] a good football team," said Belquist. "They've been scoring 40 to 60 points every game, they have some nice weapons and they can do a little of everything, so I thought our defense did a heck of a job against them."
Facing a two possession deficit late in the game, Nick Berglund and DJ Mudgett came up with a timely sack deep in the Chargers' own territory, setting up the Rockets with their best field position of the night. But once again their offense was nowhere to be found, squandering their last real opportunity at a comeback.
The rest of the fourth quarter was mostly a formality. NR-S failing to score the 2-point conversion on their only touchdown made Nelson County feel comfortable protecting the ball and running out the clock, allowing them to secure an undefeated regular season and a first round bye in the playoffs.
"For some of them you could tell it hurt, and that was good that it hurt because it means that they care," said Belquist. "But we don't have time to hang our heads. We gotta bounce back, we gotta watch film on Monday, regroup, and move on to a playoff game."
Despite the loss, NR-S secured second place in Region 3, enough to earn their third playoff appearance in four seasons. The Rockets' will also enjoy home field advantage for their first round matchup on Saturday, Oct. 16 against the North Prairie Cougars. Game time to be announced.
The undefeated Chargers have a first round bye in the playoffs. They will take on the winner of next Saturday's St. John vs. Four Winds contest in the second round on Oct. 23. They come into the playoffs as the overall #5 seed.
