TWO IN A ROW

After winning their first game this season against the North Star Bearcats, the Rockets were looking to build on their momentum in their home opener on Friday, Aug. 25.

Their opponents were the Four Winds/Minnewaukan Indians, yet another team with lofty expectations this season – and for much of the first half it appeared as though NR-S/M may have met their match.

The first quarter of Friday's game was scoreless by both teams, as the respective defenses managed to grind their opponents' drives to a halt.

The Rockets would find some success on the ground, but ultimately fell short as they approached the red zone. The Indians, meanwhile, were attempting far more passes.

Ironically, however, it would be a long 47-yard touchdown pass from Easton Simon to Easton Benz that put NR-S/M on the board first. The pass from Simon was delivered on the money to Benz, who turned upfield and ran directly into his teammate, Logan Maddock.

The collision sent Maddock tumbling, but knocked Benz into a sudden change of direction, catching several defenders off guard and allowing him to sprint into the end zone untouched – other than by his teammate of course.

Maddock later converted the two-point conversion attempt on a pass from Simon, giving his team an 8-0 lead.

Several drives later, however, the Indians would get a long touchdown pass of their own.

Starting on their own 20-yard line, quarterback Kashton Keja Jr. tossed a quick pass to the right sideline, at which point his receiver turned upfield and breezed into the end zone 80 yards later, hardly a defender in sight.

The receiver was open thanks to a fairly blatant "pick play," an illegal maneuver in which one receiver's route takes him directly into the path of an opposing defender, effectively blocking that defender and allowing a different receiver to complete their route uncontested.

The penalty went unnoticed by officials, however, and the touchdown stood, bringing the score to 8-6.

The Rockets' offense continued to struggle on their subsequent drive, as they were forced to punt after a four-and-out. But just as it seemed FW/M had stolen all momentum, Benz once again came up clutch.

As Keja Jr. attempted a screen pass from his team's own 25-yard line, Benz jumped the route and stabbed the ball out of the air with one hand. He soon dove into the end zone to complete an incredible pick-6 play.

Connor Knatterud then converted an extra-point kick to give the Rockets a 15-6 lead, which they kept until halftime.

Having scored his team's only two touchdowns up to that point, the player of the first half was undoubtedly Benz, and another player would soon emerge in the second half.

First though, the Indians placed themselves back within striking distance with a long drive to start the third quarter. By going through the air, they effectively drove downfield before scoring an 11-yard touchdown pass and bringing the score to 15-12.

Then, NR-S/M junior Carter Engebretson made his mark.

The Rockets' ensuing drive nearly came to an end multiple times, and probably would have if not for Engebretson. Having successfully converted a fourth down early in the drive, he later delivered one of the most impressive 4-yard touchdown runs one could see at a high school football game.

As he was handed the ball, it seemed as though Engebretson would be tackled for virtually no gain, but as he's already proven through two games this season, it takes more than a couple tacklers to bring him down.

With multiple defenders in his way, and one or two practically hanging off him, Engebretson powered into the end zone to score the touchdown, reasserting a two-score lead for the Rockets.

The touchdown seemed to propel NR-S/M to a dominant fourth quarter.

On defense they kept the Indians from scoring any additional points, and managed to come up with multiple interceptions. On offense, meanwhile, they continued to increase their lead.

A 5-yard touchdown run from Knatterud in the fourth quarter brought the score to 28-12, and Engebretson later delivered the longest run of the night – a 34-yard touchdown run that effectively put a nail in the Indians' coffin.

The final score was 35-12.It was a much closer game than the final scoreline would suggest, but it was yet another impressive win for the Rockets, who are now off to a 2-0 start to their season.

Standout performances on offense came from Engebretson, who led the team in rushing with 88 yards and two touchdowns on 10 attempts, and Simon, who went 19-of-23 for 152 yards and one touchdown.

Meanwhile, Maddock, Knatterud, Macyn Olson and Logan Fossen continued to play critical roles on the Rockets' offense, and each racked up impressive stats which are listed below.

Standing out on defense was Kailar Jacobson, with three tackles, three assisted tackles, one sack and one tackle for loss, and Engebretson, who led the team on defense with four tackles, three assisted tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss.

Earning interceptions, meanwhile, were Olson, Knatterud and Benz.

In sub-varsity action, the junior varsity Rockets also continued their winning ways, with a 22-8 win over FW/M on Monday, Aug. 28. The junior high team, meanwhile, lost 0-16 in their game against the Indians.

9-Man

Region 2 Football

NR-S/M 35, FW/M 12

Friday, August 25

in New Rockford

First Quarter:

No points scored.

Second Quarter:

NR-S/M: Easton Benz 47-yard pass from Easton Simon (Logan Maddock pass from Easton Simon for two-point conversion)

FW/M: 80-yard pass (failed two-point conversion)

NR-S/M: Benz 24-yard interception return (Connor Knatterud kick)

Third Quarter:

FW/M: 11-yard pass (failed two-point conversion)

NR-S/M: Carter Engebretson 3-yard run (failed two-point conversion)

Fourth Quarter:

NR-S/M: Knatterud 5-yard run (Knatterud kick)

NR-S/M: Engebretson 34-yard run (Knatterud kick)

NR-S/M Stats:

Passing: Simon 19-of-23, 152 yards, 1 TD.

Rushing: Engebretson 10 attempts, 88 yards, 2 TD; Maddock 10 attempts, 40 yards; Knatterud 12 attempts, 36 yards, 1 TD; Kailar Jacobson 1 attempt, 3 yards; Logan Fossen 1 attempt, 1 yard; Simon 4 attempts, -3 yards.

Receiving: Benz 5 receptions, 79 yards, 1 TD; Fossen 3 receptions, 31 yards; Olson 5 receptions, 29 yards; Maddock 3 receptions, 18 yards; Lucas Yri 1 reception, 3 yards; Knatterud 2 receptions, -8 yards.

Tackles (unassisted-assisted): Engebretson (4-3), 2 TFL; Macyn Olson (4-0); Jacobson (3-3), 1 TFL; Knatterud (2-1); Maddock (2-1); Benz (2-0); Brody Weisenburger (2-1), 1 TFL; DJ Mudgett (1-2), 1 TFL; Kage Walford (1-1); Keaton Cudworth (0-1); Bradyn Collier (0-1).

Sacks: Engebretson 1, Jacobson 1, Weisenburger 1.

Interceptions: Olson 1, Knatterud 1, Benz 1.