North Dakota Class AAA Semifinals

W2  Bismarck Century (8-2) at E1 West Fargo (8-2)

Friday, November 6  7:00 pm at West Fargo High School – West Fargo, ND

Previous Meeting: Sep 1, 2012 Century beat West Fargo 29-15

Common Opponents:

                              Century                                                            West Fargo                

Fargo Davies      W 21-0 (8/27) 21-10 (10/30)                        W 40-13 (10/9)

Fargo South       W 14-10 (9/4)                                                W 44-0 (10/21)

Minot                   L 16-14 (9/18)                                               L 20-12 (8/28)

Bismarck             W 30-14 (10/16)                                           L 25-18 (9/4) W 27-10 (10/30)

What You need to know

Bismarck Century

The Pats haven’t lost since visiting Minot on September 18. Since then they’ve reeled off six in a row. Dalton Feeney has thrown 13 touchdown passes in the five games since he’s returned. In those five games Century has averaged 32.8 points per game, but the defense and special teams have benefitted as well.

“We’re going to rely heavily once again on our defense Friday night, with that also getting Dalton [Feeney] back it improved our special teams because he’s our punter and that allowed Adam Geiger to concentrate on other things because he was our punter, it’s kind of been a snowball effect.” 

-Century Coach Ron Wingenbach.  

West Fargo

The Packers have been the hottest team in the state since dropping their first two out of region games. They haven’t been in a one score game in any of their eight wins. Creighton Pfau (67/127 1,099 yds, 13 TD) has been steady all season. The Packers have gotten their own star back from injury, when Dante Genova returned to action on October 2. He’s averaged 6.1 yards per carry and collected 4 TDs since getting back to the backfield. Chase Teiken has shouldered the load running the ball finding paydirt 19 times this year. But we can’t talk about the Packers without talking defense. They have allowed 10 or fewer points in five games this year including shutouts against playoff teams like Sheyenne and South. Juniors Chase Teiken, Haboniman Simon and Brandon Metz all have been lights-out leaders for the Packers Defense.

E2  WF Sheyenne (8-2) at W1  Minot (9-1)

Friday, November 6  7:00 pm at Duane Carlson Stadium  – Minot, ND

Previous Meeting: First Meeting

Common Opponents:

                              Sheyenne                                                        Minot                

Legacy                 W 62-18 (8/28)                                                W 35-14 (10/2)

Jamestown         W 32-14 (9/4)                                                  W 33-19 (9/11)

West Fargo         L 30-0 (9/11)                                                    W 20-12 (8/28)

Fargo Davies      W 35-29 (9/18)                                                W 30-23 (9/4)

Dickinson            W 32-20 (10/30)                                             W 24-0 (10/21)

What You need to know

Sheyenne

This is Sheyenne’s first playoff semifinals appearance. Senior quarterback Josh Roehrich suffered a shoulder injury during last week’s win over Dickinson, but junior backup Keaton Mahnke came in and did well in relief. Roehrich has thrown for 1,684 yards and 22 TD and rushed for 660 yards and 5 TD this season.  They also rely on Cole Setter in the backfield who’s collected 1,457 yards and 21 TDs this season.

Minot

The Magi survived their quarterfinal game against Fargo South with a 28-25 win. Austin Nagel has sustained a great ground attack for Minot while senior quarterback Ben Bolinske continues to guide the team in the passing game. The Magicians have been stout on defense allowing just 15.3 points per game. Last week’s 25 point outburst by Fargo South was the most points that Minot has yielded all season and the first time they’ve given up more than two scores since in the last five games.