Rockets dominate in Homecoming showdown

 When it comes to high school football, there are few accomplishments sweeter than winning on Homecoming.

 That sweet taste was savored on Friday, Sept. 16, when a week of Homecoming celebrations in New Rockford culminated in a dominant win for the Rockets.

 Their opponents were the Benson County Wildcats, who simply couldn't keep up with the sheer speed and toughness of New Rockford's ball carriers.

 The Rockets' running attack was everything it needed to be, and then some. NR-S Junior Connor Knatterud was particularly effective, slicing through defenders en route to his best game of the season. On just 10 attempts he compiled 175 rushing yards, not to mention three touchdowns.

 Despite his relatively small size, Knatterud has proven himself one of the Rockets' toughest players. When he can't simply outrun his pursuers, he keeps his legs churning and breaks tackles.

 It was also something of a rude homecoming for the Wildcats. Many of them will join NR-S in a football co-op next season, but until then had to endure the receiving end of the Rockets' run game.

 The first few drives for NR-S only lasted two or three plays, not because of turnovers or an inability to get first downs, but because that's all it took for the Rockets' to dive 60 or more yards and score a touchdown.

 At one point in the first half, as a light rain fell upon the field, it seemed the turf monster had racked up more tackles than the Wildcats' defense.

 On offense, however, Benson County was capable of steadily moving the ball. Their gains weren't nearly as spectacular or eye-popping as the Rockets', but were nonetheless effective enough to drive into NR-S territory.

 As it often has this season, the Rockets' tackling woes continued to extend their opponents' drives. There were times when Wildcat ball carriers managed to shed four or five would-be tacklers en route to a first down.

 But by and large, NR-S didn't allow most of those drives to turn into points. Many of the Wildcats' opportunities ended with a turnover on downs deep inside Rocket territory, followed by a long and quick touchdown drive the other way.

 Defensive standouts for the Rockets were Brody Weisenburger with a combined eight tackles, as well as Haydon Meier, Knatterud and Luke Yri, who each nabbed one interception.

 New Rockford had already built an insurmountable lead in the fourth quarter, prompting Rockets' Head Coach Elliot Belquist to send in the reserve players, who closed out a 48-18 win for NR-S.

 The victory gives the Rockets an overall record of 3-2, and keeps them undefeated in Region 4. On Friday, Sept. 23, they took on North Star (2-3 overall, 0-1 region) in Cando.

9-man Varsity

Region 4 football

NR-S 48, BC 18

Friday, Sept. 16

at New Rockford

NR-S: 14 28 6 0 = 48

BC: 0 12 0 6 = 18

First Quarter:

 NR-S: Connor Knatterud 9-yard run (Knatterud run for two-point conversion)

 NR-S: Haydon Meier 59-yard run (failed two-point conversion)

Second Quarter:

 NR-S: Connor Knatterud 42-yard run (failed two-point conversion)

 BC: 6-yard touchdown pass (kick no good)

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

 NR-S: Connor Knatterud 3-yard run (Haydon Meier run for two-point conversion)

 BC: 59-yard run (kick no good)

 NR-S: Kage Walford 21-yard pass from Haydon Meier (failed two-point conversion)

Third Quarter:

 NR-S: Jackson Schumacher 3-yard run (failed two-point conversion)

Fourth Quarter:

 BC: 2-yard run (failed two-point conversion)

NR-S stats:

 Passing: B. Meier 1-for-3 for 24 yards; H. Meier 1-for-1 for 21 yards, one TD.

 Rushing: Knatterud 10 attempts for 175 yards, three TDs; H. Meier 10 attempts for 93 yards, one TD; Jackson Schumacher six attempts for 26 yards, one TD; Keaton Cudworth one attempt for seven yards; B. Meier 3 attempts for six yards; A. Benson two attempts for five yards; Vinnie Ruppell 1 attempt for five yards; Easton Simon one attempt for one yard.

 Receiving: Trevor Waldo one reception for 24 yards; Kage Walford one reception for 21 yards

 Tackling (unassisted, assisted): Knatterud (4, 4), 1 TFL; H. Meier (4, 3), 2 TFL; Brody Weisenburger (1, 7); Luke Yri (1, 1); D.J. Mudgett (2, 1), 1 TFL; Cudworth (0, 2); Kailar Jacobson (1, 3); Kage Walford (1, 6); Easton Simon (1, 1); Alex Weisenburger (2, 4); Schumacher (0,1); Waldo (0,2).