STORY BY VINNIE RUPPELL

The New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock Rockets have won 21 games in a row after the big win against the Four Winds Indians to finish the regular season for 2025. The Rockets did not disappoint as they defeated the Four Winds 46-16. After a dominant regular season for the Rockets they have clinched the number one seed in the playoffs. 

Thursday night’s weather conditions were rough which impacted both teams throughout the game as there were multiple spots on the field with standing water. The night didn’t start the way the Rockets were hoping for when they got the ball first and had to punt after the first possession. The Indians took advantage of the opportunity as they were able to score the first touchdown of the game which was an 8-yard pass to senior WR Marial Deng. Marial was a definite leader of the FW Indians offense as he ended the night with two receiving touchdowns. The NRSM Rockets responded quickly after the FW Indians score as senior QB Easton Simon launched a 53-yard pass to Thomas Allmaras for his first touchdown of the night. The momentum of the game was all NRSM after the first touchdown. The next three possessions for the NRSM Rockets ended in touchdowns. One of which was on the ground for senior RB Jackson Schumacher on an 11-yard run. A pair of touchdown passes from senior QB Easton Simon went to senior WR Easton Benz (16-yard TD) and sophomore WR Koy Zieman (34-yard TD). The FW Indians fumbled in the second quarter which was picked up and returned for a 42-yard touchdown by Allmaras. The score at the end of this game was 46-16 in favor of the NRSM Rockets.

The Rockets (9-0) will begin defense of the state title on Saturday at home against Hatton-Northwood with coverage on KDAK The Cardinal beginning at noon.

Four Winds will open the 9B playoffs taking on (2) LaMoure-LM on Saturday at 1:30pm on Thunder Country 98.3