STORY BY VINNIE RUPPELL

NEW ROCKFORD (NewsDakota)- After an emotional week for the New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock Rockets and the surrounding communities the Rockets hosted the Hatton-Northwood Thunder in the first round of the playoffs. The NRSM Rockets started off hot and didn’t let their foot off the gas in an 80-6 win. Senior QB Easton Simon distributed touchdowns to all four starting receivers in the first quarter (Thomas Allmaras two TD’s, Easton Benz, Grant Engebretson and Koy Zieman one TD each).  Simon threw for 293 yards, 6 TD passes, and 1 interception. The Rockets had an absurd 30 points scored in 24 seconds without Hatton Northwood’s offense touching the ball from the 4:06 mark of the first quarter to the 3:42 mark. The Rockets scored a TD on a line drive kick that went through multiple Thunder players hands and rolled into the endzone. Jaxon Simon recovered the ball in the endzone for NRSM. The Rockets then kicked the ball onsides two times in a row which were both successful and also resulting in points. Hatton Northwood (6-4) ended the game with one passing touchdown to standout receiver Aiden Johnson, his fifteenth of the season, and 27 passing yards.  The Rockets ended the first quarter with a score of 52-0. 

The Rockets (10-0) added a touchdown in the second quarter before a safety and a pick-six by Allmaras in the third to complete the scoring. Jackson Schumacher ended the game with 65 rushing yards along with one rushing and receiving touchdown. The JV entered the game early in the second half after the score was 80-6. The second half was running clock so time went by fast and the Rockets cruised to their 22nd consecutive win.

The Rockets will play Grant County Flasher at home on Saturday with coverage on KDAK beginning at 1:00pm.