Photo courtesy of New Rockford Transript
New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock was ranked No. 1 in nine-man football in the NDAPSSA polls released Wednesday. It’s the fifth straight week the Rockets have been ranked No. 1, after starting the year at No. 2.
The defending state champions have won 17 games in a row dating back to 2024. This past Friday, they had an almost unbelievable streak snapped – 16 straight wins by a margin of 30 or more in each.
They won merely 62-36 against North Prairie. The 36 points were the most they’ve given up in a game since Aug. 18, 2023. It was the first time this season they’ve allowed more than one touchdown in a game, and the first time since the championship game in 2023 that they’ve allowed more than 30 points in a game.
It was still a typically strong night of offense, though. Quarterback Easton Simon threw for 310 yards. Tight end Easton Benz had 133 of those yards.
The Rockets received 15 of the 19 first-place votes and 90 overall points. Last week, they received 14 of the 17 first-place votes and 81 points.
No. 2 LaMoure-Litchville/Marion received three first-place votes each of the last two weeks. It totaled 72 points this week. The Loboes, 4-0, most recently beat Hankinson 64-34.
The streak to follow now for NR-S/M is 17, with each win coming by a margin of 26 or more points.
The Rockets are 5-0 this season, putting them in first place in Region 2.
There are exactly five undefeated teams left in nine-man football, and they happen to be the five ranked teams. The only other teams to receive votes in the recent poll were Hankinson and Grant County/Flasher (each 4-1).
Langdon Area/Munich also remained at No. 1 in Division A football.
The Cardinals are 5-0 after beating Rugby 42-12 on Friday. It was their first time allowing a double-digit point total in a game this year. They’ve permitted just 26 total points in five games.
Last week, LA/M was the unanimous No. 1 with all 17 of the first-place votes. This week, there were 19 voters, and 18 of them voted the Cardinals No. 1. The lone remaining vote went to No. 2 Killdeer.
LA/M received 94 overall points, up from last week’s 85.
The Cardinals have been ranked No. 1 for four weeks in a row.
They’re tied with No. 4 Park River Area, also 5-0, for first place in Region 2. They’re set to square off with Park River on Oct. 10.
Nine-man football
- New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock (15) – 90 points (Previous: 1)
- LaMoure-Litchville/Marion (3) – 72 points (Previous: 2)
- Linton/HMB (1) – 59 points (Previous: 3)
- Alexander – 35 points (Previous: 5)
- Divide County – 14 points (Previous: NR)
- Received votes: Hankinson, Grant County/Flasher
Division A football
- Langdon Area/Munich (18) – 94 points (Previous: 1)
- Killdeer (1) – 62 points (Previous: 3)
- Velva-Drake-Anamoose-Garrison – 57 points (Previous: 2)
- Park River Area – 42 points (Previous: 4)
- Ellendale/Edgeley/Kulm – 24 points (Previous: 5)
Received votes: Bottineau, Dickinson Trinity
