NEW ROCKFORD (NewsDakota)- During their 24-game winning streak, New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock football fans have rarely felt the anxiety of a potential loss, with 22 of the previous 23 being by way of the 30-point rule.
On Saturday, they certainly did feel more nervous than usual, but the best offense in North Dakota ensured a return trip to the FargoDome.
Easton Simon threw for 513 yards and six touchdowns, Jackson Schumacher accounted for 311 yards and five touchdowns as the Rockets offense amassed 706 yards to hold off the Hankinson Pirates 72-50 to advance to the 9-Man Championship Game.
The track meet began immediately, as Grant Engebretson took a handoff to the end zone from seventeen yards and two minutes in it was 8-0. But Pirates (10-2) superstar senior Raeshaun Earl took the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown and the game was instantly tied. Then Simon found Easton Benz for a seven yard score to make it 14-8. After a three-and-out, Simon tossed a screen pass to Schumacher for a 55-yard touchdown and it was 22-8 halfway through the first quarter.
A big moment followed, with the Rockets threatening for more, Simon’s pass was picked off by Tyson Falk in the end zone before Kade Hentz scored on a 4-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 22-14. That was answered quickly as Simon found Thomas Allmaras for a 35-yard touchdown to make it 28-14. But on the ensuing kick, Hentz lateraled to Earl, who raced 75 yards for another score to cut the Rockets lead to 28-20. After another pick, Earl took a quarterback sweep 88 yards and the lead was only 28-26 in the second. NR-S/M (12-0) would answer, as Simon connected with Engebretson to take a 36-26 lead into the locker room.
The Rockets threatened to blow it open early in the third as Schumacher scored from 18 yards on the ground and 54 yards on another screen pass for a 50-26 lead. But the Pirates responded, as Earl completed his only pass of the day, a thirty yard touchdown to Hentz to cut the lead to sixteen. After Simon connected with Engebretson for a 46-yard touchdown, Earl responded with a 70-yard run to cut the lead to 58-42 through three.
Schumacher scored from seven and eight yards in the fourth quarter before Hentz capped the scoring with a 45-yard run. Earl finished with 384 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns for Hankinson. Simon was 37/46 for 513 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions for the Rockets.
New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock advance to the 9-Man Championship of DakotaBowl XXXIII and will face LaMoure-LM, who defeated South Border 48-12 on Saturday, with coverage on KDAK The Cardinal beginning at 8am Friday morning.
FULL ARCHIVE: