Rockets blast past Polar Bears

Another Friday night, another easy win for the No. 2 New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock Rockets.

Back on the road Friday, Sept. 27, the undefeated Rockets took on the Larimore Polar Bears in what was their third Region 3 matchup of the season.

As if picking up where they left off a week ago, NR-S/M wasted no time putting points on the scoreboard and building yet another insurmountable lead.

Starting the game with possession, it took the Rockets just three plays to march down the field and score their first touchdown.

The brief drive featured a 37-yard completion from quarterback Easton Simon to his trusty wide receiver Easton Benz, and was punctuated by a quick toss to Benz for a 3-yard touchdown.

Maddock senior Carter Engebretson then secured a two-point conversion, and the lead was suddenly 8-0 less than a minute after the opening kickoff. And unfortunately for the Polar Bears they didn't even get an opportunity to respond.

Three plays into Larimore's first drive of the game, NR-S senior Bennett Meier intercepted Larimore quarterback Baron Burns.

A few plays later, Simon launched a perfectly-thrown deep ball to Kage Walford, who sprinted into the endzone for yet another touchdown this season. Engebretson soon converted another two-point attempt, and it wouldn't be long before he'd be sprinting into the endzone for six points.

The Rockets' defense forced a quick punt on the Polar Bears' next drive, and one play later Engebretson took a handoff from the 48-yard-line all the way to the house, giving the Rockets a 22-0 lead before converting yet another two-point play.

With 6:28 left in the first quarter, the Rockets had already built a 3-possession lead, which was soon turned into a 4-possession lead a few minutes later when Simon completed a 56-yard touchdown pass.

Simply put, Larimore was incapable of stopping the Rockets' offense, and about as fast as Friday's game got going, it was practically over.

It's hard to say if this level of dominance is precedented in Rockets' history. They've certainly had great seasons in the past, including a state championship in 2012, but so far this year NR-S/M hasn't played a single competitive game.

That's not to say their opponents have been bad teams. North Prairie was ranked No. 2 in the state before being crushed by the Rockets, and Cavalier was receiving votes for a top five ranking.

NR-S/M has simply been unmatched this year, and their starters haven't had to play a full four quarters all season.

They've also earned multiple shutouts, and on Friday Larimore became only the third opponent to score points against the Rockets' defense this season.

But even when the Polar Bears managed to find the endzone in the second quarter, the Rockets immediately responded with a kickoff return for a touchdown, courtesy of Benz.

By halftime NR-S/M had amassed 56 points to the Polar Bears' 8, and the junior varsity team largely took over from there, closing out a 70-8 Rockets' victory.

Now 6-0 on the season, the Rockets have allowed just 36 combined points from their opponents all year, while amassing a combined 311 points of their own.

Coming up NR-S/M have a scheduled bye week, and will then celebrate Maddock Public School's homecoming against the winless North Star Bearcats on Tuesday, Oct. 8 in Maddock.

Stats from the game in Larimore will be published in the Oct. 1 edition of the Transcript.

Elsewhere in 9-man football, the No. 1 Lamoure-Litchville/Marion Loboes took down the Hankinson Pirates (RV) by a score of 60-14, and No. 3 Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn defeated Dunseith 80-24.

Meanwhile, No. 4 Linton/HMB took care of Napoleon/G-S 46-6, and No. 5 Central McLean survived what looked like a close game at halftime against South Border, as they ultimately earned a 30-16 victory.

Photos from Friday night's game are available here! G & R Grain and Feed is our gallery sponsor.