AAA, AA semifinals set for Nov. 8
BISMARCK -- The AAA and AA playoffs continue on Friday, Nov. 8 with the semifinals at the higher seeds. In AAA, defending champion and WDA top seed Minot High hosts Fargo Davies while Bismarck High heads to EDC champion WF Sheyenne. In AA, Minot North will try and become the first team to reach the Dakota Bowl in its first season of varsity play. The Sentinels are home against West Fargo Horace. In the other game, the East’s top seed and unbeaten Red River hosts Wahpeton. At stake for the semifinal participants is a trip to the Dakota Bowl on Nov. 15.
(2E) Fargo Davies (9-1) at (1W) Minot High (8-2)
Last meeting: Sept. 13: Fargo Davies 17, Minot High 10
Quarterfinal Rewind: Minot High posted its first shutout of the season, defeating (4E) West Fargo, 23-0. The Magi took advantage of some early miscues by the Packers as a few errant snaps resulted in a fumble recovery in the end zone and a safety on the next possession. Before Minot High received the ball it was up 9-0. The Magi’s ground game again was a big factor in the success, generating a pair of scores.
Fargo Davies, meanwhile, had a bit of tougher battle against Mandan and its pass-orientated offense. The game was tied 14-14 at the half before the Eagles’ ground game began to take control in the second half en route to a 35-20 victory. FD racked up 247 rushing yards and threw just one pass, a 27-yard completion. The Davies defense did hold Mandan to under 40 yards of rushing, but did allow 248 yards in the air.
About Fargo Davies: The Eagles will be seeking their second Dakota Bowl appearance and first since 2014. Ironically, they defeated Minot High in the final in Grand Forks that year. Fargo Davies is a run first, second and third-style offense. The team has 3,357 yards thru 10 games. Malachi Werremeyer has a state-best 1,760 rushing yards and 29 scores. Collin Williams has chipped in with 468 yards. With its vaunted run game, the Eagles haven’t needed to pass much. In fact it has just 248 yards in the air. Ball possession is what they feed off of. Defensively, the team is also impressive at the line of scrimmage, holding teams to under 100 yards rushing. That line will get tested against the Magi this week.
About Minot High: The Magi are trying to earn back-to-back Dakota Bowl appearances. The last time that happened was 2015. The program also has a stellar run game, but unlike Davies, does incorporate more passing in its attack. On the ground, Griffen Broderick has amassed 1,126 yards on 198 carries. His bruising style of running makes him difficult to bring down. QB Kellan Burke has rushed for over 500 yards as well. And has thrown for 1,092 yards and 11 TDs. Kaden Kraft is the primary target. He has 584 yards receiving. Minot High’s defense had a strong performance over the Packers and will have to be assignment-sharp against a good Eagles run game.
The first match up: Fargo Davies won the earlier meeting 17-10 and it was a common theme for the Eagles. Davies rushed for 352 yards. That ball control was a big reason the Magi was held to a season-low 10 points. Minot High did run for nearly 200 yards on the ground, but it couldn’t mix in the pass as much as it wanted to. Minot was held to just 106 passing yards. A more balanced effort will be key in the rematch.
Final kicks: The one, and only time, the teams have met in the postseason was that 2014 Dakota Bowl showdown won by the Eagles, 41-10...The nine wins is the most for Davies since going 11-1 in 2014...Minot High has scored first in eight of its 10 games...This will be the 15th meeting (Minot, eight wins).
(2W) Bismarck High (8-2) at (1E) West Fargo Sheyenne (8-2)
Last meeting: Sept. 13: Bismarck High 28, WF Sheyenne 7
Quarterfinal Rewind: Bismarck High rolled to a relatively easy victory over (3E) Fargo Shanley, 42-7. It was the second lopsided win over the Deacons this season. BHS forced seven turnovers, including five interceptions and even blocked a punt. While the Demons signature ground game had its way, perhaps the most surprising stat was the Demons’ pass game which racked up 140 yards and two scores. QB Grady Swanson threw a 41-yard strike to Deeagan Staudinger on the opening possession and later connected with Ross Fischer on a 62-yard play. Logan Dockter had a pair of rushing scores, including a 70-yard scamper. He finished with 203 yards on the ground.
WF Sheyenne’s defense also had a stellar performance, pitching a 28-0 shutout over (4W) Legacy. Both teams’ defense played well at the start, but the Mustangs managed to build a 14-0 lead at halftime. Two more fourth quarter scores resulted in the final tally. WFS used a good mix of run and pass. QB Kaden Olson threw a pair of TD passes. Leading rushers Kyle Schlichting and Tate Herrmann added scores.
About Bismarck High: The Demons are a win away from their first trip to the Dakota Bowl since its 2018 championship season. BHS is at its best when it can move the ball on the ground. It has a stable of running backs behind a solid line. The squad is averaging over 280 yards rushing per game. The pass game is not as prominent, but Swanson has had his moments. Staudinger and Weston Scott have been the primary tragets. The team has had to endure its share of injuries. Ayden Tincher, one of the top rushers, is out. Jack Schaffer, one of the state’s best lineman, missed time early in the season. He’s back, but limited in his play. Defensively, the team has been pretty solid against the run and pass. And that will need to continue against a balanced attack by the Mustangs.
About WF Sheyenne: The team has become a perennial contender for conference and state championships. WFS, in its 10th-straight playoff appearance, will be seeking its first trip to the Dakota Bowl since 2021.
Lately, the veteran team is getting it done on defense. In fact the team has allowed a total of 20 points over its last five games, including two shutouts. One coming over a good Fargo Davies team. Offensively, the Mustangs have proven they can pass and throw effectively. The team has 3,144 yards of total offense. Of which, 1,755 comes thru the air and 1,389 on the ground. QB Kaden Olson is one of the top playmakers in the state. The senior has thrown for 1,582 yards and 15 TDs as well as rushed for 242 yards. Kye Schlicthing has rushed for 578 yards while Tate Herrmann has 279 yards. The primary receiver has been Sullivan Ihry. He has 31 catches for 510 yards.
The first match up: In a game of unbeatens, the Demons prevailed, 28-7, at home. BHS took advantage of a couple of second half turnovers to wrestle momentum away. A Ross Fischer 73-yard interceception return late in the quarter increased the BHS lead to 14. And then Weston Scott intercepted a pass on the Mustangs next possession to thwart a promising drive. The Demons secondary continued to stifle the Mustangs passing attack later in the fourth quarter. BHS would tack on one more TD.
Final kicks: This will be BHS’ 30th semifinal appearance since the NDHSAA playoffs began in 1975 (15-14 record)...WFS defeated the Demons in the 2018 semifinals (28-21)...BHS has won the last two meetings.
Division AA
(2E) West Fargo Horace (8-2) at (1W) Minot North (8-2)
Last meeting: Sept. 13: WF Horace 33, Minot North 7
Quarterfinal Rewind: There appeared to be no playoff nerves for Minot North. The Sentinels scored the game’s first two scores and opened up a 28-7 lead over (4E) Devils Lake en route to the program’s first-ever playoff win, 35-20. Minot North used a good mix of run and pass to rack up 283 yards of total offense to keep the Firebirds off guard. QB Brayden Blikre rushed for one score and threw for another. Two other backs had TDs. The only bad newsof the night was the loss of standout running back Christian Deadmond to injury early in the contest. And, unfortunately, he’s not likely to play in the semifinals.
WF Horace, meanwhile, avenged an early season loss to Jamestown by blanking the (3W) Blue Jays, 14-0 at home. The Hawks’ defense stifiled Jamestown’s run game. Aiden Green provided WFH with the only score it would need; an 86-yard TD reception from Taylor Stefonowicz in the second quarter. Dillon Otterson’s 22-yard run in the third quarter provided insurance. WFH was playing its first home playoff game.
About WF Horace: The Hawks are just in their third season of varsity play, but this will be the second appearance in the semifinals. The squad boasts the top defense in Division AA, allowing under 700 yards of total offense per game.
The team’s offense isn’t too shabby, either. It’s produced 3,736 yards. Ty Gerard is one of the top rushers in AA, racking up 1,273 yards on 177 carries and 13 TDs. QB Taylor Stefonowicz had been a steady thrower. He’s completed 95 passes for 1,319 yards and 14 TDs. The primary target is Aiden Green. He has 520 yards on 31 catches. A trio of other players have over 230 yards receiving.
About Minot North: To say the Sentinels have had a banner season is an understatement. The squad will finish with a winning record, a AA West Region title and at least one playoff victory. However, North knows it would become the first program to reach the Dakota Bowl in its first varsity season with a semifinal win. Despite being at home again, it will have to play its best game of the season. The team has showed its ability to score points with an offense averaging 325 yards a game. A majority coming on the ground. The team will have to contend with the loss of leading rusher Christian Deadmond. However, there are other players who can fill the voice. Among them is Cole Richeson and Brayden Blikre. Both have over 300 yards on the ground. Blikre has also thrown for 1,000 yards and nine TDs. Josia Jaquinet is the top receiver. He has 452 yards on 19 catches. Defensively, North will need to match the Hawks’ defensive intensity and getting off to a good start will be essential.
The first match up: WF Horace started quickly, scoring three times in the opening quarter and then kept its foot on the gas in the second en route to a 33-7 win. North’s lone TD came in the final quarter on a Christian Deadmond run.
The Hawks’ defense held North to a season-low 128 yards and returned an interception for a score in that first quarter barrage. The Hawks offense also turned in big plays, beginning with a 74-yard TD run by Ty Geray. Jaxum Narum scampered in from 20 yards out in the second quarter.
Final kicks: The winner will reach the Dakota Bowl for the first time...Minot North is 7-0 when scoring first...WFH has allowed seven or less points in a game six times.
(3E) Wahpeton (6-4) at (1E) Grand Forks Red River (10-0)
Last meeting: Oct. 11: G.F. Red River 34, Wahpeton 28
Quarterfinal Rewind: Top seed Red River erupted for 41 first-half points en route to an easy win over (4W) Bismarck St. Mary’s. In fact, the Roughriders played primarily their reserves in the second half. Standout QB Pearce Parks was efficient, completing 13 of 16 passes for 188 yards and three scores. Leading rusher Thomas Kraft scored twice. The Riders defense didn’t give St. Mary’s much room at the line of scrimmage nor time to complete passes. The victory was Red River’s second over St. Mary’s this season.
Wahpeton, meanwhile, was the only road team to get a win. The Huskies broke their game vs. (2W) Valley City open in the second quarter with several big plays, including a kickoff return and some large run plays fueled by standout Treyton Mauch. The Hi-Liners, who were depleted with injuries in the final weeks of the regular season, couldn’t contain Wahpeton’s run game. Valley City managed to score a couple of late scores, but the outcome was not in doubt. Wahpeton won 48-30.
About Wahpeton: The Huskies are making their first semifinal appearance since 2014.
Offensively, the squad has exhibited good balance, but is at its best when it can run the ball. The speedy Treyton Mauch had a solid performance in the quarterfinals and has rushed over 1,200 yards in 10 games. QB Bjorn Kubela has thrown for over 1,500 yards and the pass game will need to be effective in the semifinals. QB Bjorn Kubela has been steady in the pocket. He completed 109 passes in 178 attempts for 1,530 yards and 15 TDs thru eight games. Jackson Devries has over 600 yards receiving. Bradyon Steffes is another prime target.
About GF Red River: For just the third time in school history, the Roughriders have won 10 games in a season. They hope there are two more victories to come. The unbeaten Riders are on a mission to win a first state football title and they have the squad to do it. Offensively GFRR is explosive. QB Pearce Parks has over 1,700 yards of passing. Cameron Klefstad has been a go-to receiver with over 600 yards. Thomas Kraft has nearly 1,000 yards rushing. That balance has made it difficult for teams to contain the Roughriders. The team has scored 34 or more points seven times this season. And its defense is no slouch, either. Red River allows just 15 points per game.
The first match up: Red River trailed 14-12 at halftime, but put together three scoring drives in the third quarter to build a lead and then showed its ability to close out a game with a long, sustaining driving for a 34-28 victory. Both teams exhibited explosive plays both on the on the ground and in the air. After Wahpeton scored to pull to within six points, the Roughriders took over with 4:54 to play. Wahpeton never got the ball back as Red River’s offense churned out first down after first down.
Final kicks: The last time Red River and Wahpeton met in the playoffs was in the 2002 quarterfinals (Red River won, 40-7)...Wahpeton has been to the Dakota Bowl two times (2013 vs. St. Mary’s; 1998: vs. West Fargo)…Red River has played in two state title games, but never have reached a Dakota Bowl.
Photo: Minot High's Kaden Kraft looks to elude West Fargo defenders