Rockets rout Indians

Now five games into their 2024 campaign, the No. 2 New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock Rockets still haven't experienced a competitive game.

On Friday, Sept. 20, the undefeated Rockets took on the 3-1 Four Winds Indians in Fort Totten for their second inter-region matchup of the season.

And, as per usual, it didn't take long for NR-S/M to assert their superiority.

The Indians started the game with possession, but with the Rockets' defense bearing down that first drive was over quickly, amounting to a 3-and-out.

The Rockets then began their first possession of the game from around the 50-yard line, and methodically drove down the field until Carter Engebretson burst into the endzone for a 5-yard touchdown run. A 2-point conversion attempt was successful and the Rockets had an early 8-0 advantage.

The Rockets' defense followed that up with yet another 3-and-out – a common occurrence for opposing offenses this season.

And with all the punting the Rockets' opponents have done this season, NR-S sophomore Thomas Allmaras has had plenty of practice returning them. In fact, he's emerged as something of a punt-return specialist, routinely giving his offense great field position.

On Friday night he returned his second punt of the game more than 15 yards to the Indians' 25-yard line, and one play later Kage Walford took a handoff to the house for a 25-yard touchdown run, bringing the score to 14-0.

Another series for the Indians followed with no first downs, and on the first play of the Rockets' next drive, Bennett Meier took a screen pass from quarterback Easton Simon 67 yards for a touchdown, their second in as many plays.

Things were starting to get out of hand for the Indians, and it never got better from there.

The first quarter came to a close with NR-S/M leading 28-0, and the second quarter saw several more electric plays from the Rockets.

Midway through the second quarter, Easton Simon delivered a highlight-reel throw to Kage Walford, threading the needle between two defenders and giving Walford an opportunity to complete the 74-yard touchdown connection.

And perhaps the highlight of the night was a 62-yard fumble return for a touchdown shortly before halftime by Engebretson, who continues to deliver on both offense and defense for the Rockets.

After two quarters of football the score was 54-0, and the junior varsity squad once again got most of the playing time in the second half. However, even with most of the Rocket starters on the bench, Four Winds still couldn't stop the Rockets' offense, nor get past their defense.

The final score was 68-0 in the Rockets' favor, bringing their overall record to 5-0.

Stats from Friday's game will be published in the Sept. 30 edition of the Transcript.

Elsewhere in 9-man football, No. 1 LaMoure-Litchville/Marion took down Tri-State 56-13, and No. 3 Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn defeated Alexander 68-0.

Meanwhile, the big game of the night between No. 5 Linton/HMB and No. 4 South Border turned out to be another lopsided contest, as Linton/HMB breezed past the Mustangs 48-13.

Next week the Rockets will take on the Larimore Polar Bears (2-2) on Friday, Sept. 27 in Larimore.