Three WDA teams part of AAA semifinal field

BISMARCK – And then there were four. The Division AAA semifinals are set for Friday, Nov. 7 with a trip to the Dakota Bowl at stake. For the first time since 2020, three WDA teams are in the round of four. Bismarck Century, Bismarck High and Bismarck Legacy. Century hosts rival Legacy while Bismarck High travels to the lone EDC participant remaining, Fargo Davies. 
The Eagles were in the title game last year. A new champion will be crowned as defending champ WF Sheyenne was defeated in the quarterfinals. Here’s a look at this week’s match ups

(3W) Bismarck Legacy (7-3) at (1W) Bismarck Century (8-2), Friday, Nov. 7, 6:30 p.m.
Last meeting: Oct. 16, Century won 33-27
Last Playoff Meeting: This will be the first

How they got here: (1W) Bismarck Century defeated (4E) WF Sheyenne in the quarterfinals in a game that was closer than the final 21-7 score would indicate. It was the Patriots’ eighth consecutive win. Bismarck Legacy upended (2E) West Fargo Horace, 21-20, in a thrilling finish that featured a two-point conversion try in the final seconds. It was Legacy’s first-ever playoff win, snapping an 0-6 losing streak in the quarterfinals.

About Century: The program is  making its 11th semifinal appearance since 2012. It has won seven of the previous 10 games and will be favored in the showdown with rival Legacy. The Pats had to work for their quarterfinal win over WF Sheyenne. The Mustangs scored first and the game was tied at the half. And while Century’s defense was successful in bottling up Sheyenne’s passing game, allowing just 78 yards, it only led by seven entering the final quarter. Defensive back Zavion Harildstad’s 41-yard interception return in the final minute put a bow on the victory. The offense didn’t paint a masterpiece, but they were able to move the ball on the ground and mix in some short passes to set up scoring plays. Carter Wylde had a team-best 74 yards. QB Herr added 51 on the ground. He also had 51 passing yards, 32 going to Zavion Harildstad.
Century’s D allowed just 179 total yards. The biggest offensive play given up was the 28-yard TD run in the opening quarter. After that, the defensive line and linebackers were effective in keeping ball carriers from breaking into the secondary. 
Century’s defense has been impressive in recent games, preventing big plays and winning on first down. 
Offensively, Century’s running attack is steady. Senior backs Carter Wylde and Tristan Pope have found the running lanes made by the big, physical O-line. Some of those key players up front include Darion Bitz, Braxton Dahl and Ian Schweigert. Noah Herr has been efficient in getting the ball out quickly. He’s also demonstrated good instincts on when to tuck the ball and run for positive yards when defenders are closing in.
About Legacy: For the first time, the program’s postseason has extended beyond the first round. Legacy was the lone AAA team to win on the road in the quarterfinals, upending WF Horace, 21-20. The squad jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but the Horace eventually tied it in the third quarter. Legacy regained the lead and was in position to extend it to a two-score game, however, a field goal attempt sailed wide. Horace took the ball down the field in the final two minutes, scoring on fourth down to pull within one point. Horace elected to go for two and the win, but the run to the end zone attempt was denied. The victory avenged a one-poss loss to the Hawks earlier this season. Legacy will look to avenge its loss to Century this week.
Legacy is at its best when it has balance on offense. The team has an elusive and quick running back in Yusuf Jama. He’s rushed for 1,288 yards on 201 carries. He had 124 yards and a TD in the win over Horace. Quarterback Brody Weigel has been impressive, throwing for 1,531 yards on 96 of 156 passing and 18 scores. Jack Julson leads the squad with 852 receiving yards on 52 catches. 
That trio of seniors will need to be sharp against the Patriots. 
Defensively, the Sabers managed to keep Horace’s talented offense to well under its season total. And made the critical stop on the final play of the game.

Why Century will win: The Patriots have been on this stage many times. The team is well coached and pays attention to the little details that lead to wins in the playoffs.
Why Legacy will win: The Sabers finally cleared the quarterfinal hurdle and has added confidence. It has a nice resume of wins and the talent to go toe-to-toe against any team in the state.
What to look for: Which team will have the most success on third downs, keeping drives alive.
Fries at the bottom of the bag: The seven wins is the most by Legacy in a season...The last time Century won eight games in a row was 2020 when it capped off a perfect season (12-0) and a state championship.

(2W) Bismarck High (7-3) at (1E) Fargo Davies (10-1), Friday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m.
Last meeting: Sept. 19, Fargo Davies won 42-13
Last Playoff Meeting: 2023, Fargo Davies won, 15-7 (quarterfinals)

How they got here: (1E) Fargo Davies rolled to a 34-6 victory over (4W) Mandan in the quarterfinals. The Eagles defense held Mandan to just 193 yards of total offense, just one through the air. Fargo Davies led 21-0 at halftime is looking to return to the Dakota Bowl for a second consecutive season. (2W) Bismarck High, meanwhile, needed a fourth quarter comeback to defeat (3E) West Fargo and secure a spot in the semifinals. A successful extra point was the difference in a 21-20 win. The Demons are making their second consecutive semifinal appearance, and looking for their first win in the round of four since 2018.

About Fargo Davies: The Eagles are a running machine and no opponent has had success containing their ground game. Even in its lone loss (to Legacy) it rushed for 349 yards. For the season, Davies has 3,583 yards and a long list of explosive plays. The Eagles have thrown the ball a time or two, and average about 37 passing yards a game. But why throw when you are highly successful running it. Senior Kolten Tesch is a 1,000-yard rusher (104-1086), but three others have over 600 yards including quarterback Xavier Muse (67-616). The dynamic senior has a big frame and is hard to handle in the open field. 
In its victory over BHS earlier this season both Tesch and Muse rushed for over 100 yards and four scores. 
Defensively, the Eagles have allowed an average of 285 yards per game. It has picked off 14 passes. Tesch has a team-high four. Alex Christopherson has three. 
About Bismarck High: The Demons are at their best when they can run the ball and control time of possession. Converting third downs and relying more on a passing attack will be needed against the Eagles. BHS has over 2,000 yards on the ground and senior Deegan Staudinger has been the top playmaker. He ran for 199 yards in the quarterfinal win and has rushed for nearly 900 on the season. He also has just under 200 receiving yards. Carter Petron has been steady option in the back field as well. The senior has just over 300 yards rushing. A handful of other players have received carries and produced. Junior quarterback Hayden Bondley has over 325 yards running. He’s thrown for 981 yards. 
In the quarterfinal win over the West Fargo, the Demons’ defense did give up 250 yards on the ground, but it was effective in not giving up the big play. And that bend, but don’t break approach is key against the Eagles. The unit will need to get off the field on third downs.

Why Bismarck High will win: This isn’t the Demons first rodeo. The tradition-rich program lives for the postseason and success on the big stage. They will be prepared and will put forth a strong effort. If they can get off to an early lead, it will put pressure on the favored Eagles.       

Why Fargo Davies will win: No team has been able to contain the Eagles ground game. It can score on big plays, or it can methodically grind its way down the field. It’s a talented group looking to take care of some unfinished business from last year.  
What to look for: Which team has the better special teams play.
Fries at the bottom of the bag: Bismarck High is 2-1 in its three previous playoff meeting vs. Davies...The Eagles have led at the half in all 10 of its games this season.

Photo: Legacy running back  Yusuf Jama