Rockets take off in Fort Totten

With the loss of seniors like Nick Berglund, Koby Duda and Kaden Jensen, many feared Rocket football was destined for a season-long struggle in 2022.

Those fears were likely stoked following the Rockets' blowout loss to the Cavalier Tornadoes on Sept. 2. And after news broke of the new football co-op between New Rockford-Sheyenne and Maddock Public School, some may have even begun pinning their hopes on 2023.

But if this year's Rockets have proven anything, it's that they have no intention of waiting until next year to find success, and after their blowout win over the Four Winds/Minnewaukan Indians, hopes of another playoff appearance haven't gone anywhere.

On Thursday, Sept. 8, the NR-S Rockets (2-2 overall, 1-0 region) traveled to Fort Totten and enjoyed their most complete performance so far this season.

Despite fears that their relative size and inexperience might hinder their ability to find success running the ball, the Rockets did exactly that against the Indians - to the tune of 306 total rushing yards.

And it was the usual suspects doing the damage. Haydon Meier rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns, while Connor Knatterud ran for three touchdowns and 124 yards.

All-in-all, despite losing a number of seniors, this year's team looks very similar to last year's: all but singularly focused on their run game, with an unexpected pass or two thrown into the mix - often near the end zone.

In fact, one of the game's highlights was a touchdown pass from Rockets' quarterback Bennett Meier to tight-end Kage Walford.

As the pass made its way through the air, an Indians' defender managed to step in front of Walford - setting up what was sure to be a devastating interception.

Walford, though, proved the stronger of the two, as he pried the ball away from the Indians' player and scored the touchdown.

On defense, meanwhile, the Rockets forced their opponents into 15 third and fourth down situations. Of those, the Indians converted just 33 percent, compared to the Rockets' conversion rate of 71 and 100 percent on third and fourth down, respectively.

That formula of strong defense and effective running made for a dominant 42-14 victory over the Indians (2-2 overall, 0-1 region), and Rockets' head coach Elliott Belquist believes it was a performance emblematic of his young team's unexpected strength.

"We're young, and that's sort of our biggest downfall or why people didn't believe in us, but we knew these young kids could play football, it was just about how fast they could develop and play at that varsity level," said Belquist.

He also said the game against Cavalier was much closer than the score indicated, and that his message to the team ahead of the Indians match was a positive one, despite the previous week's loss.

"The biggest message was, 'hey if they're the number two or three team in the state, we can play right there with them,'" said Belquist.

The win also set the Rockets up for a chance of going back-to-back and remaining undefeated in regional competition, as they hosted the 1-3 Benson County Wildcats - their future teammates - for homecoming on Sept. 16.

9-man Varsity

Region 4 Football

NR-S 42, Indians 14

Thursday, Sept. 8

at Fort Totten

NR-S: 6 16 6 14 = 42

FW/M: 0 8 0 6 = 14

First Quarter:

NR-S: Connor Knatterud 10-yard run (failed two-point conversion)

Second Quarter:

FW/M: 10-yard run (successful two-point conversion)

NR-S: Haydon Meier 49-yard run (Knatterud run for two-point conversion)

NR-S: Kage Walford 7-yard pass from Bennett Meier (Luke Yri pass for two-point conversion)

Third Quarter:

NR-S: Connor Knatterud 17-yard run (failed two-point conversion)

Fourth Quarter:

NR-S: 14-yard run (failed two-point conversion)

FW/M: 6-yard run (failed two-point conversion)

NR-S: Connor Knatterud 55-yard run (Haydon Meier run for two-point conversion)

NR-S stats:

Passing: B. Meier 2-for-3 for 30 yards and a TD.

Rushing: Knatterud 12 attempts for 124 yards, three TDs; H. Meier 14 attempts for 134 yards, two TDs; Bradyn Collier six attempts for 18 yards; Yri two attempts for two yards; B. Meier three attempts for 26 yards.

Receiving: Luke Yri once reception for 23 yards; Kage Walford one reception for seven yards, one TD.

Tackling: Unavailable