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AAA Teams
Bismarck Century
11 photos
Bismarck
11 photos
Bismarck Legacy
14 photos
Mandan
8 photos
Minot
5 photos
Williston
3 photos
AA Teams
Minot North
11 photos
Devils Lake
8 photos
Bismarck St. Mary's
7 photos
Watford City
7 photos
Dickinson
5 photos
Jamestown
9 photos
A Teams
TMCHS (Belcourt)
6 photos
AAA Standings
Team
Conf W
Conf L
Ovr W
Ovr L
Bismarck Century
5
0
9
3
Bismarck
4
1
7
4
Bismarck Legacy
3
2
7
4
Mandan
2
3
2
8
Minot
1
4
1
8
Williston
0
5
0
9
AAA Team Results
Bismarck Century — 9-3 overall, 5-0 WDA
8-29
@Fargo Shanley
13-20
L
9-5
Fargo Davies
3-34
L
9-12
@West Fargo Sheyenne
17-13
W
9-19
West Fargo
29-0
W
9-26
Mandan
31-0
W
10-3
@Williston
69-7
W
10-10
Minot
31-6
W
10-16
@Bismarck Legacy
33-27
W
10-24
Bismarck
14-13
W
-- Playoffs --
10-31
West Fargo Sheyenne
21-7
W
11-7
Bismarck Legacy
21-13
W
11-14
@Fargo Davies
19-41
L
Bismarck — 7-4 overall, 4-1 WDA
8-29
@West Fargo
13-12
W
9-5
Fargo North
17-7
W
9-12
Fargo Shanley
21-39
L
9-19
@Fargo Davies
13-42
L
9-26
@Minot
43-7
W
10-3
@Mandan
41-20
W
10-10
Bismarck Legacy
36-29
W
10-17
Williston
77-6
W
10-24
@Bismarck Century
13-14
L
-- Playoffs --
10-31
West Fargo
21-20
W
11-7
@Fargo Davies
29-51
L
Bismarck Legacy — 7-4 overall, 3-2 WDA
8-29
@West Fargo Sheyenne
34-18
W
9-5
@West Fargo
28-27
W
9-12
Fargo Davies
40-30
W
9-19
West Fargo Horace
13-14
L
9-26
@Williston
56-18
W
10-3
Minot
41-12
W
10-10
@Bismarck
29-36
L
10-16
Bismarck Century
27-33
L
10-24
Mandan
34-12
W
-- Playoffs --
10-31
@West Fargo Horace
21-20
W
11-7
@Bismarck Century
13-21
L
Mandan — 2-8 overall, 2-3 WDA
8-29
@Fargo North
22-34
L
9-5
Fargo Shanley
9-27
L
9-12
@West Fargo Horace
14-35
L
9-19
West Fargo Sheyenne
26-27
L
9-26
@Bismarck Century
0-31
L
10-3
Bismarck
20-41
L
10-10
Williston
69-34
W
10-16
@Minot
34-20
W
10-24
@Bismarck Legacy
12-34
L
-- Playoffs --
10-31
@Fargo Davies
6-34
L
Minot — 1-8 overall, 1-4 WDA
8-29
@Fargo Davies
14-42
L
9-5
West Fargo Sheyenne
27-31
L
9-12
West Fargo
14-19
L
9-19
@Fargo Shanley
34-54
L
9-26
Bismarck
7-43
L
10-3
@Bismarck Legacy
12-41
L
10-10
@Bismarck Century
6-31
L
10-16
Mandan
20-34
L
10-24
@Williston
35-0
W
Williston — 0-9 overall, 0-5 WDA
8-29
Minot North
0-41
L
9-5
Dickinson
0-49
L
9-12
@Watford City
6-48
L
9-19
@Grand Forks Red River
12-49
L
9-26
Bismarck Legacy
18-56
L
10-3
Bismarck Century
7-69
L
10-10
@Mandan
34-69
L
10-17
@Bismarck
6-77
L
10-24
Minot
0-35
L
AA Standings
Team
Conf W
Conf L
Ovr W
Ovr L
Minot North
5
0
11
1
Devils Lake
4
1
10
2
Bismarck St. Mary's
3
2
4
6
Watford City
2
3
4
6
Dickinson
1
4
2
7
Jamestown
0
5
1
8
AA Team Results
Minot North — 11-1 overall, 5-0 WDA
8-29
@Williston
41-0
W
9-5
@Fargo South
28-7
W
9-12
Grand Forks Red River
45-14
W
9-19
Fargo North
28-7
W
9-26
@Bismarck St. Mary's
28-0
W
10-3
@Watford City
43-0
W
10-10
Devils Lake
26-20
W
10-16
Jamestown
49-14
W
10-24
@Dickinson
22-7
W
-- Playoffs --
10-31
Grand Forks Red River
20-6
W
11-7
Central Cass
21-17
W
11-14
NDevils Lake
34-39
L
Devils Lake — 10-2 overall, 4-1 WDA
8-29
@Kindred
12-42
L
9-5
@Central Cass
28-21
W
9-12
Wahpeton
34-28
W
9-19
Fargo South
39-23
W
9-26
Jamestown
41-27
W
10-3
@Bismarck St. Mary's
55-14
W
10-10
@Minot North
20-26
L
10-17
Dickinson
28-24
W
10-24
@Watford City
43-36
W
-- Playoffs --
10-31
Grand Forks Central
42-7
W
11-7
@Kindred
28-27
W
11-14
NMinot North
39-34
W
Bismarck St. Mary's — 4-6 overall, 3-2 WDA
8-29
@Grand Forks Central
12-23
L
9-5
Grand Forks Red River
13-14
L
9-12
Kindred
7-34
L
9-19
@Wahpeton
34-14
W
9-26
Minot North
0-28
L
10-3
Devils Lake
14-55
L
10-10
@Dickinson
24-21
W
10-16
Watford City
35-12
W
10-24
@Jamestown
33-19
W
-- Playoffs --
10-31
@Central Cass
14-22
L
Watford City — 4-6 overall, 2-3 WDA
8-29
@Central Cass
14-41
L
9-5
Wahpeton
39-12
W
9-12
Williston
48-6
W
9-19
Grand Forks Central
12-40
L
9-26
@Dickinson
20-17
W
10-3
Minot North
0-43
L
10-10
@Jamestown
34-21
W
10-16
@Bismarck St. Mary's
12-35
L
10-24
Devils Lake
36-43
L
-- Playoffs --
10-31
@Kindred
14-46
L
Dickinson — 2-7 overall, 1-4 WDA
8-29
Fargo South
21-34
L
9-5
@Williston
49-0
W
9-12
@Grand Forks Central
21-44
L
9-19
Central Cass
21-36
L
9-26
Watford City
17-20
L
10-3
@Jamestown
35-24
W
10-10
Bismarck St. Mary's
21-24
L
10-17
@Devils Lake
24-28
L
10-24
Minot North
7-22
L
Jamestown — 1-8 overall, 0-5 WDA
8-29
@Wahpeton
23-12
W
9-5
Grand Forks Central
7-39
L
9-12
Central Cass
18-27
L
9-19
@Kindred
6-49
L
9-26
@Devils Lake
27-41
L
10-3
Dickinson
24-35
L
10-10
Watford City
21-34
L
10-16
@Minot North
14-49
L
10-24
Bismarck St. Mary's
19-33
L
A Standings
Team
Conf W
Conf L
Ovr W
Ovr L
TMCHS (Belcourt)
0
0
0
9
A Team Results
TMCHS (Belcourt) — 0-9 overall, 0-0 WDA
8-22
Des Lacs-Burlington
8-42
L
8-29
@Ray
20-39
L
9-5
@Thompson
0-52
L
9-12
@Langdon Area
0-41
L
9-19
Grafton
8-44
L
9-26
@Carrington
0-40
L
10-3
@Park River
14-62
L
10-10
Harvey
6-48
L
10-17
Rugby
8-50
L
AAA Season Notes & Statistical Leaders
*This was the 87th season of WDA-sponsored play.
*The top four finishers in the WDA (West Region) and EDC (East Region) qualified for the AAA playoffs.
*Century, which missed the postseason in 2024, went unbeaten in conference play to win the WDA regular season title for the first time since 2021 and 12th overall.
*Century, Bismarck High, Legacy and Mandan qualified for the AAA playoffs. Century, Bismarck High and Legacy advanced to the semifinals.
*Legacy’s quarterfinal win at West Fargo Horace was the program’s first.
*Century reached the Dakota Bowl for the first time since 2022 and ninth time since 2011. The Pats are 4-5, all-time, in Dakota Bowl games.
*Fargo Davies won the Dakota Bowl, the program’s second. The Eagles’ lone loss this season came to Legacy.
*Mandan, West Fargo and West Fargo Sheyenne all qualified for the AAA playoffs with losing records.
*Despite a 6-3 record, Shanley did not qualify for the playoffs due to its region record.
*Legacy’s Jack Julson was region senior athlete of the year.
*Century’s Ron Wingenbach was WDA coach of the year.
*Legacy’s Yusuf Jama rushed for over 1,200 yards to lead the WDA.
*Legacy’s Brody Weigel passed for over 1,500 Yards to lead the WDA.
*All WDA: Bismarck High: Deegan Staudinger, Elijah Heupel, Weston Scott, Kaden Heupel, Brennan Greff, Jaden Sayler
Bismarck Century: Braxton Dahl, Ian Schweigert, Peyton Seil, Noah Herr, Joey Kraljic, Zavion Harildstad, Brayden Morris, Darion Bitz, Alex Pedersen; Bismarck Legacy: Yusuf Jama, Jack Julson, Brody Weigel, Lincoln Lemar, Bennet Lonn; Mandan (AAA): Layton Giggee, Nunpa Kirkie, Brody Skalsky, Daniel Wentz; Minot High: Anthony Alexander, Tariq Bell, James Pollatta, Ryder Sutton; Williston: Dylan Ekblad, Leo Kendor, Domonic Thompson
*All-State (WDA selections): Bismarck High: Kaden Heupel, Deegan Staudinger, Weston Scott, Elijah Heupel; Bismarck Century: Joey Kraljic, Braxton Dahl, Darion Bitz, Ian Schweigert, Zavion Harildstad, Noah Herr, Peyton Seil; Bismarck Legacy: Yusuf Jama, Lincoln Lemar, Bennet Lonn, Brody Weigel; Mandan: Layton Giggee; Minot High: Anthony Alexander
Bismarck High
Passing: Hayden Bondley
Rushing: Deegan Staudinger
Receiving: D. Staudinger, Weston Scott, Najeh Boyd
Touchdowns: D. Staudinger
Tackles: Elijah Heupel, Brennan Greff, Cayden Sather
Century
Passing: Noah Herr
Rushing: Carter Wylde, Tristan Pope
Receiving: Zavion Harildstad, Joey Kraljic
Touchdowns: N. Herr
Tackles: Carter Kost, Darion Bitz, J. Kraljic, Braxton Dahl
Legacy
Passing: Brody Weigel
Rushing: Yusuf Jama, B. Weigel
Receiving: Jack Julson, Bennet Lonn
Touchdowns: Y. Jama
Tackles: Brayden Lein, Brady Wike, B. Lonn, Ryder Rukstad
Mandan
Passing: Cole Carlson
Rushing: Nunpa Kirkie
Receiving: Daniel Wentz
Touchdowns: N. Kirkie
Tackles: Brody Skalsky, Jacob Rasset, Tayton Giggee
Minot High
Passing: Ryder Sutton
Rushing: R. Sutton, Blake Anderson
Receiving: Tariq Bell
Touchdowns: R. Sutton
Tackles:
Williston
Passing: Collin McCuistion
Rushing: Dominic Thompson
Receiving: Leo Kenor, Chance Riveland
Touchdowns: D. Thompson
Tackles: Dylan Ekblad, Anthony Naea, Isiah Haugen
AA Season Notes & Statistical Leaders
*Minot North won the AA West Region for a second-straight season.
*Devils Lake, which moved from the East AA region to the AA West to balance out the two state regions, won its first-ever football state championship. The Firebirds entered the postseason having not won a playoff game since 2017.
*Minot North, Devils Lake, St. Mary’s and Watford City qualified for the playoffs.
*Devils Lake and Minot North met in the AA Dakota Bowl. For the Sentinels, it was their first-ever appearance, while DL was making its fifth title game. The pair were the only AA West teams with a winning record.
*Watford City earned its first AA postseason appearance since 2020.
*Dickinson changed its nickname/mascot to Mavericks.
*TMCHS Belcourt competed in Division A (Region 2) for a second year in a row.
*Devils Lake’s Mason Palmer was region senior athlete of the year.
*Minot North’s Jacob Holmen was region coach of the year.
*Devils Lake’s Mason Palmer led the AA West in passing with over 2,600 yards.
*Devils Lake’s Bryar Exner led the AA West in yards rushing with 1,744.
*All West Region (WDA selections): Bismarck St. Mary's: Zach Ritter, Jackson Barth, Brady Ruggles, Dominic Zander, Beckett Price
Devils Lake: Mason Palmer, Bryar Exner, Max Palmer, Will Heilman, Kade Fee, Casey Brown; Dickinson: Paxton Lyson, Devin Heidt, Nate Stevenson; Jamestown: Liam Frey, Cody Berreth; Minot North: Evan Berg, William Bentley, Ethan Howey, Christian Deadmond, Braxton Thompson, Tyler Kippen, Gayvn McKeithan; Watford City: Thayden Arnold, Trysten DeVries, Rhylie Ledahl-Berger, Brandon Spacher
*All-State (WDA selections): Bismarck St. Mary’s: Beckett Price, Zach Richter; Dickinson: Devin Heidt; Devils Lake: Mason Palmer, Bryar Exner, William Heilman, Casey Brown; Jamestown: Liam Frey; Minot North: Will Bently, Evan Berg, Ethan Howey, Tyler Kippen, Braxton Thompson, Christian Deadmond, Gavyn McKeithan; Watford City: Thayden Arnold, Rhlie Ledahl-Berger
Bismarck St. Mary’s
Passing: Tommy Wilson
Rushing: Beckett Price
Receiving: B. Price
Touchdowns: B. Price
Tackles:
Devils Lake
Passing: Mason Palmer
Rushing: Bryar Exner, Mas. Palmer
Receiving: William Heiman, Max Palmer, Weston Nelson
Touchdowns: Mason Palmer
Tackles: Luke Wasness, Kade Fee
Dickinson
Passing: Nathan Stevenson
Rushing: Wyatt Turner, N. Stevenson
Receiving: Paxton Lyson, Dylan Glasser
Touchdowns: W. Turner, N. Stevenson
Tackles: Devin Heidt, Jesse Hammond
Jamestown
Passing: Karson Schmidt
Rushing: Liam Frey
Receiving: Cephy Sayler, Jaeger Roemmich
Touchdowns: K. Harstad
Tackles: Braden Hemminger, Mason Gibson
Minot North
Passing: Brayden Blikre
Rushing: Cooper Chick, Christian Deadmond
Receiving: Josia Jaquinet, William Bentley
Touchdowns: Blikre, Deadmond
Watford City
Passing: Wyatt Boekelman
Rushing: Rhlie Ledahl-Berger
Receiving: Konner Winter
Touchdowns: Ledahl-Berger
Tackles: Hunter Moberg, Will Langford
Postseason Results
The 2025 Division AAA and AA state playoffs will begin on Friday, Oct. 31 Games will be played at the higher seeds for quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. The championship be held as part of the NDHSAA Dakota Bowl on Friday, Nov. 14 at the Fargdome. The top four seeds from the AAA WDA and AAA EDC will qualify as well as the top four seeds from the AA West Region and AA East Region.
The 2025 high school football season in the Western Dakota Association wrapped up with thrilling performances and fierce competition, culminating in the Dakota Bowl on November 14. In the AAA ranks, Bismarck Century made a strong push for the title but ultimately fell to Fargo Davies in the championship game, 41-19. Century's journey included a semifinal win over Bismarck Legacy, showcasing a resilient defense and a potent offense throughout the playoffs.
In the AA division, Minot North had a remarkable season, finishing the regular season undefeated in WDA play at 5-0 and ending with an impressive 11-1 overall record. The team’s postseason run ended in a nail-biter against Devils Lake, who clinched the championship with a 39-34 overtime victory. The matchup was a rematch from earlier in the season, highlighting the intense rivalry between the two programs.
Bismarck High also made a significant impact in the AAA playoffs, advancing to the semifinals after a close quarterfinal win against West Fargo. The Demons finished their season with a strong 7-4 overall record, demonstrating grit and determination in a highly competitive field.
Devils Lake's success in the AA division was fueled by standout performances from key players, contributing to their impressive 10-2 overall record. The team’s ability to perform under pressure was evident in their semifinal overtime victory against Kindred, setting the stage for the championship showdown against Minot North.
Meanwhile, Bismarck Legacy and Mandan represented the WDA in the AAA playoffs, with Legacy finishing the season at 7-4 overall. Despite a tough semifinal loss to Century, Legacy's season was marked by strong showings against formidable opponents.
Overall, the 2025 football season in the WDA was a showcase of talent and determination, with teams battling hard for postseason glory. The Dakota Bowl served as a fitting conclusion to a season filled with memorable moments, rivalries, and standout performances that will be talked about for years to come.
