Rockets fall to Mustangs in 9-man semifinals

The New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock Rockets' magical 2023 season has come to an end.

Playing against the undefeated South Border Mustangs in New Rockford on Saturday, Nov. 4, the Rockets ultimately fell just a couple of yards short in the semifinals of the 9-man playoffs.

The whirlwind of a game first saw South Border jump out to an early 16-0 lead, capitalizing on long pass attempts on crucial possession downs, as well as two turnovers that ended promising drives for the Rockets.

It certainly wasn't going their way early, and some were likely fearing an embarrassing end to the Rockets' season.

However, as he has so often in his Rockets career, NR-S senior Connor Knatterud got his team right back into it, scoring first on a punt-return touchdown early in the second quarter.

Then, an interception by MPS senior Macyn Olson ended the Mustangs' next drive, and allowed Knatterud to score again one play later – taking a hand-off and bouncing off several would-be tacklers to ultimately score a 78-yard touchdown run.

Successful two-point conversion attempts made the score 16-16 with only a few minutes left in the half, but on a drive that started at their own 28-yard line with 40 seconds remaining before halftime, the Mustangs drove down the field and scored yet again with just 13 seconds on the clock.

A successful two-point conversion of their own sent the Rockets into halftime with a 16-24 deficit, and it didn't get much better after halftime, as they increased their lead to 16-32 on a 32-yard touchdown run by Cole Stock.

Thankfully for NR-S/M, they once again closed the gap.

Just before the end of the third quarter, MPS senior Logan Maddock scored on a touchdown run from two yards out, which was set up by several nice passes from quarterback Easton Simon to both Maddock and Logan Fossen.

Then, the Mustangs' following drive ended with a massive sack on 4th-and-10 from their own 44-yard line. The sack belonged to Carter Engebretson, and went for a loss of 15 yards to the Mustangs' 29-yard line, where it was turned over on downs.

With such excellent field position, the Rockets later capitalized on an 11-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Maddock.

However, neither of the Rockets' second-half touchdowns were followed up by two-point conversions, meaning the Mustangs still held on to a 32-28 lead late in the fourth quarter.

The Rockets had one more chance to earn the win later in the fourth quarter, after their defense forced yet another punt, and after a great punt return from Maddock set the Rockets up with excellent field position at the Mustangs' 20-yard line, with 3:06 remaining in regulation.

NR-S/M would end up having to face two crucial fourth-down plays during the drive. The first was converted on a pass by Simon that put the ball on the 9-yard line.

A little later, now with just one minute left in regulation, the Rockets were facing another fourth down from the 2-yard line. Unlike their first attempt, however, they were unable to convert on a short pass attempt, and the ball was turned over on downs.

From there the Mustangs did their best to run out the clock, and managed to do so despite some confusion regarding a holding penalty on the second to last play of the game.

The Mustangs' victory advanced them to the state championship game in Fargo, N.D. on Friday, Nov. 10, where they went up against the North Prairie Cougars, who return to the championship game after making it last year as well.

For the Rockets, meanwhile, the loss brought their final overall record on the season to 10-1, ending what was a magical season with several unforgettable moments and victories.

The season was also an incredible way to begin New Rockford-Sheyenne's football co-op with Maddock Public School, and their success this year certainly bodes well for the future.

9-Man Playoffs

Semifinal

NR-S/M 28, Mustangs 32

Saturday, Nov. 4

at New Rockford

First Quarter:

South Border: Berkeley Frantz 85-yard run (successful two-point conversion)

South Border: Cole Stock 5-yard run (successful two-point conversion)

Second Quarter:

NR-S/M: Maddock 55-yard punt return (successful two-point conversion)

NR-S/M: Knatterud 78-yard run (successful two-point conversion)

South Border: Connor Kosiak 8-yard pass from Frantz (successful two-point conversion)

Third quarter:

South Border: Stock 32-yard run (successful two-point conversion)

NR-S/M: Maddock 2-yard run (failed two-point conversion)

Fourth quarter:

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

NR-S/M Stats:

Passing: Easton Simon 23-for-32, 168 yards, 1 TD.

Rushing: Connor Knatterud 125 yards, 1 TD; Logan Maddock 27 yards, 1 TD.

Receiving: L. Maddock 7 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD; Logan Fossen 5 receptions, 40 yards; Macyn Olson 5 receptions, 38 yards; Easton Benz 1 reception, 3 yards.

Tackles (unassisted-assisted): Engebretson (1-0), 1 TFL; DJ Mudgett (1-0) 1 TFL; Benz (1-0) 1 TFL.

Interception: Olson 1.