New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock is still not the unanimous No. 1 in nine-man football, but it’s sure getting close.
The Rockets received 17 out of 18 first-place votes in the poll released Wednesday, as voted on by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. In the previous poll, they’d only gotten 11 of 15.
NR-S/M has outscored opponents 288-88 through its 5-0 start. The program has won 30 consecutive games, the 11th streak of that length in North Dakota high school football since 1975.
LaMoure-Litchville/Marion still received one first-place vote. Linton/HMB did not receive any but remained No. 3.
The Rockets are coming off a commanding 54-16 over North Prairie. On the one hand, the Cougars have been ranked as high as No. 5 this year and were arugably the toughest team NR-S/M has played. On the other hand, North Prairie quarterback Jonathan Mears is dealing with an injury right now, which is obviously affecting North Prairie’s level of play as of late. The 3-2 Cougars did not receive any votes this week.
Cavalier, tied for second in Region 2 with a 4-1 record, did receive votes ahead of a big game against 4-1 Four Winds on Friday.
Four Winds is in an interesting spot. The Indians are 4-1, but they still have Cavalier, North Prairie and NR-S/M on their schedule. They’re likely going to need to beat at least one of those teams to clinch their third consecutive playoff appearance.
Four Winds did beat Cavalier last year, 42-34, but Cavalier is off to its best start since 2022 behind the explosive running game of Micah Dutch — a kid who used to play for Four Winds a few years ago. Cavalier also had a respectable performance against NR-S/M in a 50-34 loss — the closest regular-season game the Rockets have played since 2023.
Four Winds and Cavalier will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 at Four Winds High School.
NR-S/M hosts Midway/Minto (1-4) in Maddock.
Meanwhile in Division A, Langdon Area/Munich is still fighting to get back into the top five. The Cardinals are the top team receiving votes, but are still unranked with a 4-1 record. Since their 41-13 loss to Harvey/Wells County, they’ve won 55-8 over Turtle Mountain and 41-16 over previously-undefeated Rugby.
H/WC finally entered the top five at No. 4 with its 3-2 record — a record that doesn’t tell the whole story, given that the two losses came to the current top two teams in Division A.
Region 2 foes Rugby and Thompson also received votes.
Nine-man
- New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock (17) – 89 points (Previous: 1)
- LaMoure-Litchville/Marion (1) – 75 points (Previous: 2)
- Linton/HMB – 58 points (Previous: 3)
- Alexander – 23 points (Previous: 5)
- Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter (Previous: 4)
Received votes: Cavalier, Griggs/Midkota
Division A
- Velva/Drake-Anamoose/Garrison (14) – 84 points (Previous: 1)
- Ellendale/Edgeley/Kulm (4) – 75 points (Previous: 2)
- Northern Cass – 45 points (Previous: 3)
- Harvey/Wells County – 27 points (Previous: RV)
- Central McLean – 17 points (Previous: RV)
Receieved votes: Langdon Area/Munich, Thompson, Southern McLean, Rugby