Football season on the horizon

About this time a year ago, folks were wondering just how well the newly-formed football co-op between New Rockford-Sheyenne and Maddock would shake out.

The answer, of course, was extremely well.

With a sudden infusion of talent, the New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock (NR-S/M) Rockets enjoyed an undefeated regular season and were just one game from a state championship appearance. It was by far the best football season either community had experienced in several years.

However, some of the most impactful players from that team will not be returning this season, including Connor Knatterud, Logan Maddock, Macyn Olson and others.

So as another football season approaches, folks are now wondering if this team will have what it takes to repeat their success from a year ago and perhaps make it one game further.

Rockets' head coach Elliott Belquist believes they do, especially as returning players remember what it was like competing in a playoff semifinal, and the stinging defeat of falling one game short.

"I think this team's hungry," said Belquist. "There's a lot of upperclassmen on this team who were part of last year, and they worked really hard in the offseason to get back to that game. They remember the feeling of that game."

Despite losing some impactful players, this year's team still has plenty of talent.

Brody and Alex Weisenburger, Carter Engebretson and Easton Simon are just a few of the returning players NR-S/M will be relying on this season.

Simon in particular could be the catalyst for his team's success in 2024. As quarterback a year ago he emerged as an excellent passer, and on several occasions he came up clutch when his team needed it most.

If the NR-S junior can play as well or better this season, the Rockets will certainly have chances to do well.

"He's just so clutch," said Belquist about his quarterback. "He's consistent, you know what you're gonna get from him every day ... he comes and he just throws darts."

Meanwhile, Carter Engebretson is also likely to play an important role. Last year the Rockets relied on him in critical short-yardage situations, and without speedsters like Knatterud and Maddock in the backfield, Engebretson's role as a powerful running threat could be even more important this season.

"We feel like we lost some pretty good players, but we got some really good one's coming back," said Belquist.

The Rockets began practice at their new field on Thursday, Aug. 8, and after the first week of practices Belquist says they're getting up to speed much faster than they were last year.

"The Maddock kids have been here for a year now, so that helps their knowledge with how we do things," said Belquist. "This time last year we were still trying to teach everyone what we do ... so this year we're so much further ahead."

The first week of practices have also taught Belquist a little about this season's team, and how they'll have to win if they want to make another deep playoff run.

"Last year I'd say we were more explosive and fast," he said. "This year I think we're more powerful, strong ... and maybe our football knowledge has gotten better."

The NR-S/M Rockets will be hoping to use that knowledge and power to finish atop their region (Region 3), which will be significantly different than last year.

Last season, 9-man football was divided into just four regions, and NR-S/M competed against eight other teams in what was an exceptionally strong Region 2, from which the top two teams advanced to the playoffs.

This year, however, 9-man football is going back to eight smaller regions, from which only one team advances to the playoffs. The last time 9-man football was divided into eight regions was back in 2022.

Joining the Rockets in Region 3 this season are Four Winds/Minnewaukan, Hatton/Northwood, Larimore and Nelson County. NR-S/M defeated each of those teams a season ago, with the exception of Hatton/Northwood who they didn't play against.

The Rockets' season opener will take place on Friday, Aug. 23 in St. John at 7 p.m.

The Rockets' junior varsity and junior high season opener will follow on Monday, August 26, also up in St. John starting at 4:30 p.m.