Weathering the Storm

November 2, 2024

The No. 1 New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock Rockets are returning to the 9-man football semifinals after a decisive victory over Grant County/Flasher on Saturday, Nov. 2.

This time a season ago, the Rockets were coming off a thrilling last second victory over LaMoure-Litchville/Marion in last years' quarterfinal.

Almost a full year later, the Rockets were able to advance to a second straight semifinal with a bit less drama, as they took down the Storm by a comfortable margin of 54-18.

Saturday's game started with some disrespect on the part of Grant County/Flasher, as the away team planted a "Storm" flag on the Rocket emblem at center field during team introductions.

If anything, the move only fueled the Rockets as Saturday's game got underway. And in time, the home team made it clear that no visiting squad can claim their field without suffering the consequences.

First, however, the Rockets would have to fight through some early adversity, as the final score isn't exactly an indication of just how close this game could have been.

Starting the game with possession, the Storm's opening drive couldn't have gone much better. They managed to score six points after an efficient 7-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that started at their own 20-yard line and ended with a 26-yard touchdown catch.

It was an early indication that this matchup wouldn't be as easy as the Rockets have become accustomed to, and it was the first time all season they'd have to play from behind.

But that didn't seem to bother NR-S/M, as they responded with an even more efficient 7-play, 60-yard touchdown drive of their own, capped off by an impressive touchdown pass from quarterback Easton Simon to his trusty wide receiver Easton Benz.

The Rockets' defense followed that up by forcing a quick 3-and-out courtesy of back-to-back sacks from Carter Engebretson and Colton Green.

A bad punt then gave their offense great field position, and two plays later Simon launched a perfectly-thrown deep ball to Benz, who had a step on his defender and caught the pass in stride for his second touchdown in under five minutes.

A subsequent 2-point conversion gave NR-S/M a 14-6 lead, an advantage they wouldn't relinquish for the remainder of the game.

"We responded very well," said Rockets head coach Elliott Belquist about having to play from behind to start Saturday's game.

"I feel like every game this year we'd get the ball to start the game and we'd go down and score, and finally this time they went down and scored first. So it was good to see our defense fight through a little adversity and have to buckle it up a bit."

However, after getting an advantage on the scoreboard, a crazy sequence of events and self-inflicted mistakes could have cost NR-S/M their newfound lead.

The Storm were threatening to score later in the first quarter after a screenplay broke for 49-yards, but a few plays later NR-S senior Bennett Meier high-pointed a pass from Storm quarterback Kelton Friesz inside the 10-yard line, and came down with the interception.

It seemed like a crushing play for the Storm, but just two plays later Simon threw a rare interception of his own at the 9-yard line – a play Belquist took the blame for after the game – which was soon capitalized on by the Storm for their second touchdown of the afternoon.

A failed 2-point conversion made the score 14-12 at the end of the first quarter, and once again the Rockets were thrust into a close game.

NR-S/M responded well, however, and on their ensuing drive Engebretson brought the Rockets into Storm territory with his legs, before Walford took a 26-yard screen pass to the house, giving Simon his third touchdown pass and opening a 22-12 lead.

Building a two-possession advantage felt like a significant milestone for the Rockets, especially after the Storm responded with a trick play on their next drive and seemed likely to score yet again.

Knowing they were underdogs going into Saturday's game, Grant County/Flasher clearly came prepared with several trick plays up their sleeves, which they deployed sporadically throughout the first half.

"Teams at this stage of the season are going to throw everything at you," said Belquist. "All the tricks are going to come out of the bag, and you just gotta be ready for anything."

The Rockets handled several trick plays fairly well, but after the Rockets opened a two possession lead, they apparently weren't expecting a backwards toss to the Storm's tight end, Brody Frorlich, who then launched a deep ball downfield to an open receiver.

The trick play put Grant County/Flasher in prime scoring position inside the Rockets' 5-yard line. But just as they seemed likely to score and bring the game back within one possession, Meier came up clutch on defense yet again.

On a critical 4th-and-goal from the 3-yard line, Meier caught an errant pass from Friesz in the endzone and found mostly green grass and blockers ahead as he made the interception and returned it for a 100-yard pick-6.

It was a huge moment in the game to say the least, and a subsequent 2-point conversion made it 30-12, completely flipping momentum back to the Rockets.

As the clock ticked down on the first half, two more turnovers by the Storm and one by the Rockets had possession swapping hands several times, but ultimately the score remained unchanged going into halftime.

"It took our kids a couple series to figure it out and we put the defense in some bad positions with turnovers, but I thought they really settled in after those first few drives," said Belquist after the game.

He added that his halftime message was a lot about protecting the football and minimizing mistakes. Their second turnover late in the half could have cost them another touchdown, and the feeling at halftime was that NR-S/M was fortunate to still have a 30-12 lead.

Penalties were also a killer throughout the game, and multiple penalties on their first drive of the second half could – and maybe should – have given possession right back to the Storm.

Instead, the Rockets suddenly got exactly the start they were looking for.

On a 3rd-and-9 deep inside their own territory, Simon let loose another perfectly-thrown long ball that hit Meier in stride for a 69-yard touchdown. It was the perfect start to the second half after what could have been two drive-killing penalties, and suddenly it felt like NR-S/M was finally growing a comfortable lead.

Simon's deep ball continues to be an effective weapon for the Rockets, and on that occasion it earned them a 38-12 advantage. But the home team wasn't resting on their laurels just yet.

Kage Walford scored a 57-yard touchdown on a toss from Simon later in the second half, and in the fourth quarter Bradyn Collier caught a 5-yard touchdown pass which truly put the game out of reach.

The Storm managed one last touchdown in the closing seconds of regulation with the Rockets' starters on the bench, bringing the final score to 54-18.

Offensive standouts for NR-S/M were Carter Engebretson, who finished the game with 18 carries for 128 rush yards, and of course Easton Simon, who went 11-of-16 for 383 yards and six touchdowns.

Defensively, the play of the game was earned by Bennett Meier with that 100-yard interception return, which completely flipped the direction of Saturday's game.

The victory keeps the Rockets undefeated on the season and advances them to a second straight semifinal appearance.

That's where NR-S/M found the end of the road a season ago, and if they want to do at least one game better this year they'll have to take on their toughest opponent yet – No. 3 Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn.

Their quarterback, Walker Braaten, will be especially tough to handle. He's already signed to play for the NDSU Bison for next year, and he'll have his sights set on a state championship this season.

"Obviously next game we got a great quarterback coming, a Division I football player," said Belquist about next week's opponent. "So we'll have to play close attention to what he's doing. We have a few days here to study and figure things out, but it's going to be another big test and another great game next week."

Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn will travel to New Rockford on Saturday, Nov. 9 for their semifinal. The winner will advance to the Fargodome and compete for a state championship at the Dakota Bowl on Nov. 15. Kickoff is at a time yet to be determined.