Defending state champs New Rockford-Sheyenne going for the 3-peat
· Yahoo Sports
Aug. 20—NEW ROCKFORD, N.D. — New Rockford-Sheyenne notched two undefeated seasons back-to-back, so the question is:
Can the Rockets do it a third time?
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They are sure going to try.
"It's a big year with big spots to fill," head coach Elliott Belquist said. "I am excited to get out there and see what those new kids can do in those roles that they have been waiting for for a couple of years now. There is a lot of excitement coming into it. This year, the target is even bigger on our back, so that means the kids need to bring even more juice each day."
Belquist and the Rockets picked up their second-straight Dakota Bowl title last November with a 38-22 win over LaMoure/Litchville-Marion — a team they currently hold a 4-1 record against. Since 2023, Belquist's squad has gone 35-1.
"There is a lot of expectation," Belquist said. "The last three years, people have only seen us lose one game, so there is a high standard that we have to meet. The kids know that people around here expect to win, so we've got to do the best we can to give that to them."
The Rockets lost five seniors to graduation. They are expecting 25 to 30 kids out for the season — one of whom is Tommy Allmaras — a 2025 All-State pick. Allmaras lines up at receiver and cornerback for the Rockets.
"We're expecting big things out of him," Belquist said.
Layton Jacobson is another senior who received All-Region honors last year for his performance at middle linebacker.
"He's a kid who we are going to need a lot out of," Belquist said.
Chaztin Wobbema will be back on the line starting both ways for the Rockets, while Aiden Rodriguez will get his opportunity to prove himself at wide receiver and defensive back. Jackston Easter is going to be taking over as quarterback due to the graduation of Easton Simon, who was, according to Belquist, "the best quarterback we've ever had."
Last season, the Rockets beat every one of their opponents by at least 16 points. There were seven games last season where the Rockets beat their opponents by a minimum of 40 points and eight games where the Rockets scored a minimum of 60 points. The least amount of points the Rockets scored during a game last year was 38.
With the graduation of the five multi-year starters, Belquist said the team will have to fight a bit harder to win games during the regular season.
"I think our region will be a little bit more well-balanced," Belquist said. "North Prairie is always tough. Cavalier will be much improved. They have had a couple of down years, but I am expecting them to get back to their standard.
"Larimore, St. John, Four Winds — everyone is just another year older — so I think we are going to be more evened out," he said.
The Rockets began practices on Aug. 6 and will play their first game on Aug. 21 against Cavalier.
"I know these kids will be fighters," Belquist said. "I know they are going to give everything they have, and they are going to sell out. They want to give you their best. Each year I am amazed by their commitment. They want it as much as you do, and they are going to do everything they can to win ball games."