Still undefeated

by Nathan Price

Against the winless Larimore Polar Bears on Friday, Sept. 1, the New Rockford Sheyenne/Maddock Rockets did exactly what good teams are supposed to do.

Entering Friday's matchup, the young Larimore roster had suffered two straight dominant losses to the FW/M Indians and North Prairie Cougars, and the Rockets too made quick work of the Polar Bears.

The scoring started early with the first of many special teams touchdowns, as senior Logan Maddock returned a punt after the Rockets' defense forced a quick four-and-out to start the game.

With some impressive moves and after breaking a few tackles, Maddock returned the punt to the house, giving his team an early lead.

Larimore responded with a long, impressive touchdown drive to tie the game, but those would be their last points for some time.

On the Rockets' ensuing drive, quarterback Easton Simon connected with Macyn Olson on a 70-yard touchdown pass. And just like that, the Rockets were off to the races.

That touchdown catch would be followed by a pick-6 courtesy of Bradyn Collier, another punt return for a touchdown by Maddock, a second long passing touchdown from Simon, and a third punt return for a touchdown, this time delivered by Connor Knatterud.

Then it was finally halftime, and with a 40-6 lead, the rest of the evening was largely a formality.

The Rockets scored nonetheless, and soon the game essentially turned into a junior varsity exhibition, as both teams' starters spent most of the second half on the sideline.

The game ended with a final score of 59-12, giving the Rockets their third consecutive win to start their 2023 season.

So far this season, the Rockets' offense has proven to be very effective. Maddock, Knatterud, Carter Engebretson, Olson and Logan Fossen have each had their moments, and Simon has played well from the quarterback position.

Perhaps going slightly under the radar, however, has been their special teams unit.

Against Larimore the Rockets had three punt returns for a touchdown, and all season long the Rockets' punts, kickoffs and even extra-point attempts have largely been successful.

Consequently, the Rockets haven't been gifting their opponents with excellent field position, typically an all-too-common occurrence in 9-man football. And it's almost entirely thanks to the efforts of Logan Maddock, Connor Knatterud and Carter Engebretson.

Statistical standouts against Larimore were Easton Simon, who went 5-of-5 from the quarterback position for 169 passing yards and three touchdowns, as well as Bradyn Collier, who scored two defensive touchdowns with a pick-6 and fumble recovery.

Following their biggest game of the season thus far against North Prairie, the Rockets will have a bye week before going back on the road to McVille on Friday, Sept. 22.

9-Man

Region 2 Football

NR-S/M 59, Larimore 12

Friday, Sept. 1

at New Rockford

First Quarter:

NR-S/M: Maddock 56-yard punt return (failed two-point conversion)

Larimore: 8-yard pass (failed two-point conversion)

NR-S/M: Olson 70-yard pass from Simon (failed two-point conversion)

NR-S/M: Collier 29-yard interception return (kick no good)

Second Quarter:

NR-S/M: Maddock 51-yard punt return (extra-point attempt good)

NR-S/M: Easton Benz 48-yard pass from Simon (extra-point attempt good)

NR-S/M: Knatterud 54-yard punt return (extra-point attempt good)

Third quarter:

NR-S/M: Fossen 45-yard pass from Simon (kick no good)

NR-S/M: Knatterud 27-yard run (extra-point attempt good)

Fourth quarter:

Larimore: 5-yard pass (failed two-point conversion)

NR-S/M: Bradyn Collier fumble return (kick no good)

NR-S/M Stats:

Passing: Simon 5-of-5, 169 yards, 3 TD.

Rushing: Knatterud 6 attempts, 31 yards, 1 TD; Brody Weisenburger 1 attempt, 10 yards.

Receiving: Olson 2 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD; Benz 1 reception, 52 yards, 1 TD; Fossen 1 reception, 45 yards, 1 TD.

Tackles: (unassisted-assisted): Kage Walford (5-2), 1 TFL; Maddock (2-2); Olson (1-0); Collier (0-2); Fossen (2-1); Cole Knudson (1-3); Benz (2-2), 2 TFL; DJ Mudgett (3-2), 1 TFL; Keaton Cudworth (0-1); Brody Weisenburger (0-4); Knatterud (5-3); Engebretson (1-2), 1 TFL.

Sacks: Engebretson (1).

Interceptions: Collier (1).

Fumbles recovered: Collier (1)

Photos from NR-S/M vs. Larimore have been uploaded to our photo sharing site: https://transcript.smugmug.com/New-Rockford-Transcript-Photos/Sports/Rocket-Sports-2023-24/NR-SM-Football-2023/NR-SM-vs-Larimore-9-1-23/