AAA quarterfinals feature rematches

BISMARCK -- With 11 teams playing in Class AAA, there is the potential that quarterfinals will feature rematches from games earlier in the season. And so is the case in 2023 with all four quarterfinals. Seeding is based on the Quality Results Formula (QRF) implemented by the NDHSAA. As a result, first round games often have two conference foes squaring off. There are two inter-conference matchups with EDC champion and top seed Fargo Shanley hosting No. 8 West Fargo. WDA champion and No. 3 seed Minot High hosts No. 6 Mandan this Friday, Oct. 27. The other games have No. 7 Bismarck Century traveling to No. 2 WF Sheyenne again. No. 5 Fargo Davies makes its third trip to Bismarck in as many weeks. The Eagles take on No. 4 Bismarck High. Here’s a look at three quarterfinals involving WDA entries.

Friday, Oct. 27: (7) Bismarck Century (3-6) at (2) West Fargo Sheyenne (7-2), 7 p.m., WFSHS Mustang Stadium, West Fargo

Last meeting: Sept. 8: WF Sheyenne def. Century, 26-24

Last playoff meeting: 2022 (AAA Quarterfinals); Bismarck Century def. WF Sheyenne, 27-8

About Bismarck Century: Well, the No. 7 seed Patriots have been here before. Just last year, to be precise. The Century upended then-top seed WF Sheyenne in the quarterfinals. That started quite a postseason run for the Pats which ended with a Dakota Bowl appearance, despite a losing record.

Much like last year, wins were hard to come in the first half of the season. Century won its opening game over West Fargo in late August, but win No. 2 didn’t come until the end of September and none of its three wins have come over teams with a winning record. Despite that, the squad has played well in some of its losses. It led 17-14 at the half against WF Sheyenne in the earlier meeting. And it was tied at the half against unbeaten Fargo Shanley. Putting together a four-quarter performance against good teams has been elusive, however.

Ball control is what the squad wants to accomplish. Century had the top rusher in the WDA in Senior Gavin Lill. His 1182 yards provided the backbone of the Pats’ running attack. Quarterback Michael Twardowski is also fleet of foot. The senior’s 452 yards was second on the team. The two combined for 19 scores. Century averaged 201 yards on the ground per game and a big share of the credit goes to the play of the O-line. Players who contributed to the success include: Dawson Kraft, Sr.; Braxton Dahl, So.; Austin Smith, Sr.; Olav Taylor, Jr.; Evan Schmit, Sr.; along with Brodie Gerhardt, Jr.; Grant Carlson, Sr.; and Ian Schweigert, Fr. The Pats passing game accounted for 834 of its 2,649 yards of total offense. Lill was the top receiver with 20 receptions for 206 yards. 

Defensively, Century had a challenging time keeping offenses in check. Opponents averaged just over 344 yards of total offense per game. Teams had success both running and passing. A better job limiting big plays and preventing third down success by the Mustangs will be critical.

About WF Sheyenne: The No. 2 seed Mustangs have established themselves as one of the top programs in AAA. WFS has reached the playoffs in each of the past nine season. It won its first state title in 2021 and reached the championship two other times. 

For the seventh year in a row, the team has won at least seven regular season games. Six of those victories came over teams qualifying for the postseason. 

Offensively, the Mustangs are a juggernaut, amassing 3,376 yards of total offense. A majority coming through the air (2,136). Junior quarterback Caden Olson has 1,829 yards on 144-222 passing while senior Caleb Duerr was 18 of 30 for 307 yards in a secondary role passing. Five players have at least 248 yards receiving. The primary receiving targets are senior Race Wilson and Duerr, 619 and 460 yards, respectively. Colby Walter, Cooper Bryant and Noah Olson also figure into the passing game. The Mustangs also have 1240 yards on the ground. Senior Barry Kpeenu led the way in the regular season with 613 yards and six scores. Wilson added 220 yards.

Opponents have been able to move the ball against the Mustangs. WFS has allowed an average of 332 yards per game and teams that have solid ground game fare better. Century had over 240 yards on the ground in the first meeting. Limiting the Patriot run game will be a point of emphasis for WFS.

Success in the postseason has been a staple for Century. In its past 16 postseason appearances, the program has had at least one playoff win in 15 of those  seasons. So, it’s a confident bunch heading into late October.

So to are the Mustangs. They have reached the Dakota Bowl in three of the past four seasons and the veteran team will be among the favorites to return.

Fries at the bottom of the bag: This will mark the fifth meeting in the playoffs (Century is 3-1)…Century has reached the postseason in each of the past 17 years which is the longest streak of any AAA team…WFS scored a program-best 70 points against Mandan in the regular season finale.

Friday, Oct. 27: (5) Fargo Davies (5-4) at (4) Bismarck High (7-2), 7 p.m. MDU Resources Community Bowl, Bismarck

Last meeting: Sept. 8: Bismarck High def. Fargo Davies, 22-3

Last playoff meeting: 2018 (AAA Semifinals); Bismarck High def. Fargo Davies, 34-13

About Fargo Davies: The Eagles enter the postseason on a season-high two game win streak. Ironically, both have come in the Capital City, and that is where Fargo Davies plays its opening round game.  FD defeated Century on Oct. 13 and then Legacy on Oct. 19. It will go for the trifecta against BHS this week. The Eagles played a strong regular season schedule, with eight opponents making the postseason. Of its five wins, just one, however, has come against a team with a winning record (Fargo South). 

Fargo Davies has one of the top running games in AAA. Of its 2,704 yards of total offense, 2,043 have come on the ground. That averages to 227 per game. Senior running back Zach Lilly has just over 1,000 yards rushing on 124 carries and 14 scores. Junior Malachi Werremeyer had added 344 yards 47 carries. When the Eagles do pass, senior quarterback Gage Brewer’s primary target has been Werremeyer with 176 yards. Luke Lorenz and Grant Tschosik have 128 and 118 yards receiving, respectively.

Defensively, the Eagles have held opponents to an average of 258 yards of total offense. And the squad has been especially good containing the run game. However, a few teams did have success running ball against them, including the Demons. Better execution on the D-line and tackling will be needed this week.

Over its last four games the Eagles have started strong, scoring 21 or more points in the first half. Another good start and playing with the lead would potentially put pressure on the favored Demons.

About Bismarck High: After a one-year absence, Bismarck High is back in the postseason. It’s been quite a turnaround for the Demons which did not win a game 2022. This season the squad has seven wins and its two losses have come to EDC champion Fargo Shanley and WDA champion Minot High. 

Like Fargo Davies, running the ball is what BHS does best. And the squad averages 251 yards on the ground per game. That equates to ball possession and controlling the tempo of the game. Senior Carter Henke has received the lions share of the rushes (145) and his 1,122 yards and 17 touchdowns. Quarterback Quin Hafner is also a capable runner. The senior has just over 400 yards rushing. Senior Bridger Owens has added 262 from the backfield. Success running the ball starts with a capable line and the Demons have a good one. They include: Jack Shaffer, Jr.; Sam Larson, Damien Harildstad, Jr.; Kaden Heupel, So.; Easton Egeberg, Jr.; and Luke Dockter, Sr. The blocking up front has enabled the backs to get past the D-line and into the open field where they can turn small gains into big ones. The Demons are a run-first squad, but opponents can’t sleep on the pass game. Hafner is capable of moving the ball through the air as demonstrated by his 882 yards on 69 completions and eight TD passes. Senior Preston Lemar and Henke have over 200 yards receiving and a pair of scores. Senior Luke Dockter has three TD receptions.

The Demons’ defense has held a team to under eight points per game four times this season. That includes just three points to Fargo Davies. A deeper dive shows the team picks up its play in the second half where BHS has surrendered an average of just seven points. The unit which includes Ayden Schlafman, Sr. and Tyson Jangula, Sr., among others, has also been good about limiting big plays that can shift momentum. 

This will be an intriguing match up as both teams like to run. The team that can have the most success doing so will likely be advancing to the semifinals.

Fries at the bottom of the bag: BHS’ last playoff win came in 2020 (21-20 vs. West Fargo) in the quarterfinals…Fargo Davies is 3-6 in quarterfinal games…BHS last reached the Dakota Bowl in 2018.

Friday, Oct. 27: (6) Mandan (4-5) at (3) Minot High (8-1), 7 p.m., Duane Carlson Stadium, Minot

Last meeting: Sept. 8: Minot High def. Mandan, 28-12

Last playoff meeting: 1998 (West Region Play-in); Minot High def. Mandan, 22-21

About Mandan: The Braves have reached the postseason for a program-best sixth consecutive year. During this stretch the squad has reached the semifinals three times, including a year ago. A fourth trip will require an upset win over the Magicians. 

Mandan won just four games during the regular season, but don’t let that fool you. The team showed it can compete against the top teams in AAA. It held a lead in the second half against top-ranked and undefeated Fargo Shanley on the road. It also held leads over No. 2 WF Sheyenne and No. 4 Bismarck High. The challenge will be to put a complete four quarter effort together and earn a signature win. 

Offensively, the squad is one of the top passing teams in the state. Quarterback Hudsen Sheldon has thrown for 2,000 yards and 16 TDs. The junior’s mobility and strong arm allow him to extend plays and find receivers. He also has 252 yards rushing. players have 400 yards receiving. Senior Rustin Medenwald (481), junior Tristan Ulmer (422) and senior Paxton Ohlhauser (402). The trio make it hard for opposing defenses to shut down the Braves’ passing game.

Jayce Johnson has handled the majority of the ground game. The junior has rushed for a team-high 662 yards on 147 carries and eight scores. Getting production on the ground will be needed vs. Minot. The success of Mandan's offense is also linked to its line play. Hunter Corbin has been a versatile leader there. John Bugbee and Stran Ressler have been mainstays. Others who have contributed and battled through injuries include Leelyn Desilets, Logan Renner and Carson Hunte.

A team that often scores quickly and produces big plays, often mean the defense is on the field a lot. And the Braves defense has had its share of challenges at times. The team has allowed an average of 328 yards of offense per game. Giving up big plays has been a problem at times. The group of tackles and linebackers has improved and players who are making impacts include Wyatt Piehl, Cooper Anderson, Derek Schmidt, Austin Bay, Braiden Bosch, Tayton Giggee. Trevor Anderson, Mason Zander, Doug Sheldon, Jayden Brobst along with the aforementioned H. Corbin, L. Desilets and J. Johnson.  Limiting explosive plays and getting off the field on third down will be critical for the squad’s chances to advance in the postseason. 

About Minot High: The Magicians enter the postseason on the heels of their best regular season since 2015. That was a good year, by the way, as Minot High advanced to the Dakota Bowl. The squad has just one loss, that coming to No. 2 seed West Fargo Sheyenne. A potential rematch could come in the semifinals. However, the Magi are not looking past its quarterfinal opponent in Mandan which has plenty of playoff experience in recent years.

A first look at Minot High shows they can score and they can defend. The team averages 35 points per game while surrendering just eight. Offensively, the team is a threat to run and pass, and that balance has made it difficult for opponents to keep the team from moving the ball. The bulk of the ground game has come from senior Tyson Ruzicka and junior Griffen Broderick. Ruzicka’s agility and quickness enable him to get to the outside or dart through holes created up the middle by Minot’s big offensive line. Ruzicka has just over 1,000 yards rushing.  Broderick, meanwhile, is more of a north-south runner and is hard to bring down. He has rushed for over 400 yards. Senior Jaidrean Small is also an option in the backfield. He has 200 yards rushing. Senior quarterback Lucas Beeter has been solid and steady in the pocket, throwing for just under 1,000 yards and 13 scores. The go-to receivers have been senior Ty Conklin and junior Kaden Kraft. The two have combined for 600 receiving yards and 12 scores. Another player who has shown his versatility is Kellan Burke. What makes that Minot offensive dynamic is the guys up front and the Magi have both talent and depth. That line consists of Dylan Huber, Jr.; Derrick Arivett, Sr.; Landon Bedell, Jr.; Teagan Nicols, Sr.; Job Rystedt, Sr.; Ethan Armstrong, Sr.; Heston Faul, Sr.; Justin Wood, Sr.; Rajah Fulton, Jr.; and Adam Mrozik, Jr. 

The Magi defensive unit has pitched five shutouts, including two to begin the season. It has allowed just 180 yards of total offense per game which was tops in the WDA. A lot of the credit goes to the play of the D-tackles and linebackers. Among the standouts is linebacker Michael George. Tackles DeJarius Jones, Sr.; and Joivanni Perez, Jr. also are athletic players to watch. Others that have roles there are D. Huber, D. Arivett and L. Bedell.

Minot High led 28-0 at the break in the first meeting before the visiting Braves’ put up two scores the second half in the 28-12 Magi victory. A better start will be a point of emphasis for Mandan. The Magi, meanwhile, will look to continue its stellar play on both sides of the ball that has led them to the No. 3 playoff seed and a home playoff game.

Fries at the bottom of the bag: Mandan has won its last two quarterfinal road games…Minot High last reached the semifinals in 2017…The game will be livestreamed on the PSP Network.

Photo: Minot High's Griffen Broderick fights for yards against Bismarck High. (Photo by Jon Jablonski)