By Jacob Waltman, KSJB (Jamestown, ND) – North Dakota’s high school football playoffs are set to kickoff this Saturday, October 24, with 16 teams in each Class A and 9-man. This year’s first round features undefeated contenders, defending champions, and schools looking to make shocking upsets. The winners this Saturday will advance to the quarterfinals on October 31st, with the State Championship scheduled for November 13th in Fargo at the Fargo Dome.
CLASS – A: First round matchups
#1 Ellendale-Edgeley-Kulm (9-0) vs Grafton (6-3)
The top seeded Thunder enter the playoffs undefeated and haven’t allowed more than 6 points since week two way back in August! Grafton returns to the playoffs this year but once again have to face an EEK team that beat them last year in the first round 46 to 6.
#2 Harvey-Wells County (7-2) vs Lisbon (5-4)
Harvey-Wells County enters the playoffs winning their last seven games, after starting 0-2, and winning their region title. Lisbon also enters the playoffs on a hot streak winning their last three games of the regular season, setting up a matchup between two teams on a roll at the end of the regular season.
#3 Bishop Ryan-Our Redeemer’s (7-1) vs Central Mclean (7-2)
Bishop Ryan – Our Redeemers ended the season by winning five consecutive games and winning the Region 3 title. While Central Mclean went 7-2 on the season and only losing by 2 points in both loses.
#4 Langdon Area-Munich (8-1) vs Oakes (5-3)
The defending champion Cardinals went 8-1 only losing to Harvey/Wells County 41 to 13 but winning big the rest season. Oakes return to the playoffs after missing the playoffs last year and are looking to knock off the defending champs!
#5 Velva-Drake-Anamoose (8-1) vs Dickinson Trinity (6-2)
Last year Velva-Drake-Anamoose reached the semifinals before losing to the eventual State Champions and look to continue their winning tradition. Dickinson Trinity is looking to bounce back in the first round of the playoffs after falling to Southern Mclean in the last game of the season and also are looking to advance to the quarterfinals again this year.
#6 Northern Cass (8-1) vs Rugby (7-2)
At 8-1 Northern Cass sustain a dominant season only losing to top ranked Ellendale-Edgeley-Kulm in the second to last game of the season. After finishing the season strong with three straight wins, Rugby looks to upset one of the top contenders in Class A football.
#7 Southern McLean (8-1) vs Des Lacs-Burlington (5-4)
At 8-1 Southern Mclean is looking to make a deep playoff run after winning their region championship. Des Lacs-Burlington looks for a major upset and advance to the quarterfinals after losing in the first round of the playoffs last year.
#8 Bowman County (7-2) vs Ray-Powers Lake (7-2)
Bowman County enters the post season on a 4-game winning streak and looking to advance in the playoffs after missing out last year. Ray-Powers Lake enters the playoffs with a 3-game winning streak of their own and looking to win in the first round after losing in it last year.
9-Man: First Round Matchups
#1 New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock (9-0) vs Hatton-Northwood (6-3)
The back-to-back defending state champions look to continue their historic run in the first round. While Hatton-Northwood enters the playoffs on a four-game win streak and are looking to make the upset of the century!
#2 LaMoure-Litchville-Marion (9-0) vs Four Winds (5-4)
After being the state runner up last year, LaMoure Litchville Marion is looking to capture the state title this year as a top contender in 9-man football. Four Winds enters the playoffs again this year, and once again facing LLM in the first round.
#3 Linton HMB (9-0) vs Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood (6-3)
Linton-HMB enters the post season once again as the 3 seed and as a top contender to the state title. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood enters post season play, losing 2 of their last 3 and looking to make a major upset in the first round of the playoffs.
#4 Napoleon-Gackle Streeter (8-1) vs TGU (7-2)
Napoleon-Gackle-Streeter has only one loss, a narrow defeat to Linton-HMB, entering the playoffs, and look to advance to quarterfinals for two years in a row. TGU looks to make a mark on the playoffs after finishing the season with a strong 7-2 record.
#5 Alexander (9-0) vs Beach (6-3)
After being upset in the first-round last year, Alexander comes into the playoffs 9-0 and looking to make a run at the state title. Beach enters the playoffs with three consecutive wins and looking to upset Alexander in the first round.
#6 Cavalier (8-1) vs Griggs-Midkota (6-3)
After missing the playoffs last year, Cavalier goes 8-1 and looks to put their name in has a contender in 9-man football. Starting 5-0, Griggs-Midkota stumbles into the post season and looks to bounce back against Cavalier in the first round.
#7 Hankinson (8-1) vs North Prairie (7-2)
Hankinson enters the post season on a four-game win streak and looking to advance to the quarterfinals for the second straight year. North Prairie enters with a four-game win streak of their own and look to beat Hankinson after losing to them last year in the first round.
#8 Lewis & Clark (7-2) vs Kidder County (7-2)
Lewis & Clark finished the season with a four-game win streak and looks to advance to the quarterfinals after losing in the first-round last year. Kidder County bounced back last week after losing the week before and looks to advance to the quarterfinal for the second year in
Comments