AA semifinals feature a rematch and a first encounter

BISMARCK – The Division AA semifinals on Friday, Nov. 7 feature a rematch of teams that met in week one and two teams that have never faced one another. Despite the stark contrast in the two matchups, the stakes are the same. A win to reach the Dakota Bowl. Kindred, the East's top seed, will meet Devils Lake, the West's No. 2 seed for the second time this season. The Vikings defeated Devils Lake handily in late August. Kindred reached the Dakota Bowl last year in Division A but was runner-up to Velva. Devils Lake, meanwhile, last appeared in the title game in 2010. Minot North, the West's top seed, faces Central Cass, the No. 2 East team. This will be the first meeting. The Sentinels were in the semifinals a season ago, but fell at home to WF Horace. Central Cass was a semifinalist in Division A, but lost to rival Kindred. Here's a look at the match ups.

(2E) Central Cass (7-3) at (1W) Minot North (10-0), Friday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m.
Last meeting: First-ever meeting
Last Playoff Meeting: First-ever meeting.

How they got here: Minot North advanced to the semifinals for a second-straight AA season, but it wasn’t a walk in the park. The squad was locked in a defensive struggle with G.F. Red River at 6-6 before getting two fourth quarter touchdowns en route to a 20-6 victory. Central Cass, meanwhile, built a 15-0 halftime lead on St. Mary’s and extended it to 22-0 before the Saints made a game of it. CC prevailed 22-14 to earn its second-straight semifinal appearance. Last year that came in Division A.

About Minot North: The Sentinels have been in this position before; A home playoff victory away from a spot in the Dakota Bowl. Last season it ended with a 42-20 loss to eventual state champion WF Horace. That was then and North is determined to have a different outcome in the semifinal game.  
In its quarterfinal win, the squad rushed for over 200 yards, the bulk coming from senior Christian Deadmond. He had 120 yards on 20 carries and two scores. He’s been impressive over the past few weeks and certainly will play a big role against Central Cass. Evan Berg (343 yards) and leading team rusher Cooper Chick (737) also provide capable rushers and either one can turn in a big performance. Quarterback Brayden Blikre threw for just over 100 yards on five of seven passing against Red River. He has 666 yards throwing on 48 completions. Josia Jaquinet has 14 catches for 226 yards, and like, so many on the roster, can turn in a break-out performance. 
The defense didn’t have as dominant a performance as in previous games, but it was still solid. Red River put up 264 yards of offense, but after its opening possession, didn’t get into the end zone again. North’s Deadmond made an impact with seven tackles and five assisted tackles. Berg finished with six tackles and four assisted. That pair of lead the squad all season. The Sentinels have held an opponent to seven or fewer points seven times.

About Central Cass: The Squirrels are an experienced crew in the postseason. This marks the sixth consecutive season it has made the playoffs. And CC has earned at least one win in five of those trips. This is the third time it has been to the semifinals. 
The squad racked up 437 yards of offense in the quarterfinal win vs. St. Mary’s with a good balance of run and pass. That formula will be needed again against a superior opponent in North. 
Colton Cruchet rushed for 166 yards and a pair of scores. He is just shy of 1,000 yards on the season. Junior QB Brody Kegley completed 24 passes on 28 attempts for 235 yards. Blaise Cotton had 115 yards and a score on eight receptions. C. Cruchet had 42 yards on four catches. The offense has been a strong suit, especially with the ability to move the ball through the air. CC has 2,244 passing yards thru 10 contests and Kegley has tossed 22 scores.
The play of the defense will be the telltale for the Squirrels. Can it prevent Minot North from winning the line of scrimmage and the time of possession battle. Junio Ayden Thummel leads the team with 51 total tackles. Senior Trevon Quam and junior Easton Holland each have 41.
Why Minot North will win: The Sentinels are veteran group that worked all season to get back to this position. They know the opportunity that stands before them and they will be ready.
Why Central Cass will win: The team has proven it can move the ball and put up points, averaging 27 per game, If it can keep Minot North’s defense on the field it has a good chance.
Key match up to watch: Which team has a better third down efficiency.

Fries at the bottom of the bag: Central Cass reached the Dakota Bowl in 2022, falling in the Div. A title game to Velva...Minot North has scored the opening touchdown in ne of its 10 games...CC is 17-5 over its last two seasons...North is 18-4 over its last two seasons.

(2W) Devils Lake (8-2) at (1E) Kindred (10-0), Friday, Nov. 7, 6 p.m.
Last meeting: Aug. 29, Kindred won 42-12
Last Playoff Meeting: First-ever meeting.

How they got here: Kindred rolled to a quarterfinal victory over Watford City. The Vikings led 33-0 at the half and went on to a 42-14 victory. Devils Lake also started fast, leading 35-0 at the half over G.F. Central en route to a 42-7 QF win.

About Kindred: Dominant is the word that comes to mind when describing this program. The Vikings are 56-3 over its last five seasons. Let that sink in for a moment. It has two state titles. It’s first coming in 2021 in Division B. The second coming in 2023 in Div. A. 
In the quarterfinal win over WC, the Vikings racked up 337 offensive yards with 178 coming in the air. QB Gabe Whipple threw for 178, completing 11 of 14 balls and five scores. Standout receiver Brooks Bakko had 96 yards on five catches and two scores. The junior has 729 on the season and 11 TD receptions. Fellow junior Luke Starcevic had two receptions, including one for a TD for 29 yards vs the Wolves. Leading rusher Sawyer Hesse had 101 yards on 15 attempts. He has 853 yards for the season and 12 scores.
Kindred has 2,159 yards on the ground and 1,566 through the air. The team has averaged 39.7 points per game.
The only game the Vikings were really tested was in week two against Division AA foe West Fargo Horace. Kindred prevailed 34-32. That was the most points it allowed all season. The athleticism in the secondary and size at the line of scrimmage don’t offer many opportunities for big plays to develop. Six times the team has allowed seven or fewer points in a contest.

About Devils Lake: The program exercised some past playoff demons by getting its first postseason win since 2017.
The squad was superb against G.F. Central in the quarterfinal victory. DL scored the game’s first five TDs. Senior running back Bryar Exner had 139 yards on 27 carries and a TD. Senior quarterback Mason Palmer was 11 of 14 for 202 yards and scoring passes to four different players. Weston Nelson hauled in three passes for 89 yards and one of those TDs. Kade Fee had one catch for 49 yards and a score. All totaled the Firebirds had 353 yards of offense. Its defense held the Knights to 110 yards and 20 on the ground. Kade Fee had a team-high six tackles, including a sack. The opponent will be much tougher this week, however.
In its season-opening loss to Kindred, the Firebirds allowed 453 yards of total offense. Some of that can be chalked up to players getting comfortable in new positions and facing a tough foe right out of the gate. DL will be better prepared this time around. Kindred will get its yards, but the key for DL will not allow those yards to come in big plays. On offense, the Firebirds have to make the most of its scoring opportunities.

Why Kindred will win: The Vikings are used to the pressures of postseason play and have rose to the occasion many times. It has top-end talent, experience and on a mission for another title.

Why Devils Lake will win: The team is not one-dimensional on offense and having options will challenge Kindred. After facing Kindred earlier this season, DL won’t be intimidated by the favored Vikings.
Key match up to watch: Which team gets more out of its playmakers.

Fries at the bottom of the bag: Kindred has been the playoffs in each of the last 11 seasons...The eight wins is the most for a DL squad since 2010 (10-2)...Kindred is 3-0, all-time, vs. Devils Lake…The Firebird's last trip to the title game was 2010.

Photo: Minot North defenders pursue a Red River player during the quarerfinal round.