Plenty of talent on the field, parity will create excitement across the AA West Region

BISMARCK -- The West Region reigned supreme a season ago in Division AA. It was an all-West Region Dakota Bowl as Devils Lake edged Minot North. Will there be an encore in 2026? Plenty of talent is back on the field which should lead to a highly-competitive battle to earn one of the fourth region playoff berths. After a few weeks of non-region action, teams will settle into region showdowns. A look back Devils Lake captured its first-ever state football title in a thrilling 39-34 victory over region rival Minot North. The Firebirds stunned East Region champion Kindred in an overtime classic in the semifinals before completing its magical run to the crown a week later. Bismarck St. Mary’s and Watford City were also playoff qualifiers. Team Previews Bismarck St. Mary’s Saints Key Returners: Beckett Price, Sr. (RB – 2x All-State, 2x All-WDA); Bennett Grimm, Jr. (LB); Tommy Wilson, Sr. (QB); Gavin Griffin, Jr. (OL/DL); Asher Coghlan, Sr. (OL/LB); Reeve Honeyman, Sr. (DB/WR); Jake Miller, Jr. (WR/DB); Marcus Anderson, Sr. (WR/DB); Drake Aman, Jr. (OL); Jaxson Hase, Jr. (DB) Team Strengths: An elite ground weapon running behind a battle-tested line. Senior tailback Beckett Price (1,547 rushing yards, 16 TDs in 2025) headlines the offense, supported up front by Drake Aman, Gavin Griffin, and Asher Coghlan. Defensively, outside linebacker Bennett Grimm anchors the second level, while Reeve Honeyman, Jake Miller, and Jaxson Hase bring varsity seasoning to the defensive backfield. Areas to Improve / Show Progress: Adjusting to new leadership as Jeffry Tescher takes over as head coach. The squad will also have to mesh with new offensive coordinator Chris Schwab’s scheme and establishing a perimeter passing threat. With opposing defenses stacking eight in the box against Price, an untested wide receiver room (one returning catch for four yards) has a prime opportunity to step up and create balance. Devils Lake Firebirds Key Returners: Casey Brown, Sr. (OL/DL - All-Region); William Heilman, Sr. (RB/DB); Easton Encinas, Sr. (RB/LB); Egan Laite, Jr. (RB/LB) Team Strengths: Continuity in the trenches. The defending state champions return virtually their entire offensive and defensive lines, providing an established physical foundation and dependable rotational depth up front. A promising crop of underclassmen has also integrated quickly into both phases, giving the Firebirds early momentum in camp. Areas to Improve / Show Progress: Rebuilding skill-position depth and overall varsity speed after graduating over 20 seniors. Developing special teams units and speeding up the mental side—film study, assignment discipline, and situational awareness—will be essential as a young core steps into spotlight roles. Dickinson Mavericks Key Returners: Nathan Stevenson, Sr. (QB – All-Region); Paxton Lyson, Sr. (WR/DB – All-Region); Wyatt Turner, Sr. (RB/LB); Tai Tautolo, Sr. (OL/DL)Team Strengths: Elite skill-position continuity and roster depth. Senior quarterback Nathan Stevenson (1,600+ passing yards, nearly 500 rushing yards) commands the offense with poise alongside go-to wideout Paxton Lyson (44 catches, 500+ yards) and leading rusher Wyatt Turner. Two-way lineman Tai Tautolo anchors the front, while strong overall program numbers ensure fresh legs late into games. Areas to Improve / Show Progress: Closing out fourth quarters. The Mavericks dropped three region games by a combined 10 points last fall—all against playoff qualifiers, including Devils Lake. Eliminating explosive opponent plays and finishing tight games will be Dickinson's ticket to a postseason leap. Jamestown Blue Jays Key Returners: Brady Nenow, Sr. (QB); Rylan Dockter, Sr. (OL/DL); Eli Olson, Sr. (OL/DL) Team Strengths: Line continuity and upperclassman leadership. Senior three-year starter Rylan Dockter and senior two-year starter Eli Olson provide dependable two-way muscle in the trenches. Senior quarterback Brady Nenow returns under center after missing roughly 85% of last season due to injury, bringing high football IQ, field vision, and steady leadership. Jamestown's depth allows them to rotate multiple personnel packages without relying on just one or two playmakers. Areas to Improve / Show Progress: Managing adversity and maintaining composure when injuries or momentum shifts strike. Developing emerging depth players into confident, assignment-sound varsity contributors will dictate how high the Blue Jays can climb week after week. Minot North Sentinels Key Returners: Braxton Thompson, Sr. (RB/DL – All-State, All-Region); Ethan Howey, Sr. (OL/DL – All-State, All-Region); Cooper Chick, Sr. (RB/DB – All-WDA HM); Gavin Tobey, Sr. (WR/DB); Cam Jesz, Sr. (DB); Harrison Schaefer, Sr. (LB/RB); Max Hall, Sr. (DL) Team Strengths: Peak team speed and a loaded stable of ball-carriers. Cooper Chick, Harrison Schaefer, Cian Hannon, Davyion Clemons, and Luke Richeson give the Sentinels relentless rushing versatility. All-State standouts Ethan Howey and Braxton Thompson anchor the defensive line, with Schaefer commanding the linebacker corps and Gavin Tobey and Cam Jesz leading an athletic secondary. Areas to Improve / Show Progress: Developing depth in the trenches following heavy graduation along both lines, and settling a preseason quarterback competition to ensure consistent offensive execution right out of the gate. Watford City Wolves Key Returners: Rhylie Ledahl-Berger, Sr. (RB/DB – All-State, All-Region); Tysten DeVries, Sr. (RB/LB – All-Region); Harper Moberg, Sr. (OL/DL – All-Region); Brandon Spacher, Sr. (OL/DL – All-Region); Carter Breitbach, Sr. (WR/DB); Alexander Christensen, Sr. (OL/LB); Sam Inman, Sr. (OL/DL); Kaleb Pickering, Sr. (OL/DL); Baylor Salas, Sr. (QB/DB) Team Strengths: A veteran, ground-and-pound identity. The Wolves return nine offensive starters, including their entire backfield tandem of Rhylie Ledahl-Berger and Tysten DeVries. The duo paced a rushing attack that averaged 280 yards per game (302 ypg team average) and broke a 40-year-old school single-game rushing record (479 yards). Seven returning defensive starters and strong depth on the defensive line make Watford City a formidable matchup in the trenches. Areas to Improve / Show Progress: Translating record-setting rushing metrics into complete four-quarter consistency and tightening pass defense against balanced region aerial attacks.