STORY BY VINNIE RUPPELL

The NRSM Rockets have been on a winning streak dating all the way back to 2023 in the semifinals. That streak continued with a dominant performance against the Midway Minto Mustangs on Friday night. 

The NRSM Rockets got things started early when senior kick returner Easton Benz took the opening kickoff 80 yards to the endzone. After the kick return for a touchdown, the NRSM Rockets did not let off the gas as after five minutes, the score was 44-0. Easton Simon, with absurd stats for the night, went 11-11 passing with 7 touchdowns. In those first five minutes of the game, Simon threw touchdown passes to each of his four starting receivers (Thomas Allmaras, Easton Benz, Grant Engebretson, and Koy Zieman). 

While the NRSM Rockets dominated on offense, they also held the Mustangs to just 12 points and 177 yards of total offense. The Mustangs were able to put together a couple of drives, as they gained eleven first downs on the night, while NRSM had twelve. The Mustangs also had two turnovers throughout the game, while NRSM had one. 

At the end of the game, the final score was 80-12 with a dominant performance by the Rockets. The Midway Minto Mustangs are 1-6 in the region standings and will be hosting the Cavalier Tornadoes this upcoming week. The NRSM Rockets, who are still ranked #1 with a 6-0 record, will be hosting Nelson County on Friday night.