Kari Gibb/MDN Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn juniors Hunter Tolstad (27) and Daemian Braun (7) wrap up Alexander sophomore quarterback Eithen Gillespie (11) for a sack in the first quarter of play on Saturday, October 26, in round two of the 9-Man playoffs in Westhope.

The Sioux hosted the Comets in round two of the 2024 North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) 9-Man football playoffs on Saturday, October 26, and the hosts sent Alexander back home with the season ending loss 54-16 as Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn advance to the quarterfinals this week.

Westhope scored first at the 8:19 mark of the first quarter and followed that up by forcing a Comet punt. The snap went over the Alexander punter’s head and was subsequently kicked away from the Sioux defenders and out the back of the endzone to avoid the touchdown. Westhope was awarded the two point safety at the 6:14 mark instead.

The home team received the free kick after the safety and scored again at the 5:35 mark for the 18-0 lead. The teams traded field position for the rest of the first quarter.

The Sioux started the second quarter with another touchdown and the 24-0 lead at the 11:26 mark. Westhope added another score at the 7:29 mark for the 32-0 lead and the Alexander Comets struggled to make enough plays on offense to move the chains consistently.

The Sioux defense was relentless in swarming any passing attack by Alexander and led 38-0 at the half.

The Comet were able to rebound their efforts in the second half, scoring 16 points. The effort was not enough to close the gap as the hosts added more points for the eventual win.

The region 3, top seed Sioux will host the region 1, second seed Wyndmere-Lidgerwood on Saturday, November 2, in the quarterfinals of the postseason.

South Prairie-Max 42, Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 28

In round two of the 9-Man football playoffs, the Royals hosted the Mavericks for the second time this season. In the second game of the season on August 30, the two teams met at South Prairie-Max high school and posted a barn-burner with 94 points in the game. The hosts won that game 50-44 in the end and followed up in the playoffs with the win for the hosts again.

South Prairie-Max has their work cutout for them in the quarterfinals. The region 6, top seeded Royals travel to the region 1, top seeded LaMoure-LM Loboes on Saturday, November 2.

9-Man Playoffs – Results, October 26

R6-1 South Prairie-Max 42, R5-2 Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 28

R5-1 Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn 54, R6-2 Alexander 16

R1-1 LaMoure-LM 76, R1-3 Hankinson 13

R8-1 Linton-HMB 20, R8-3 South Border 0

R4-3 Cavalier 44, R4-1 North Norder 14

R3-1 New Rockford/Sheyenne/Maddock 46, R4-2 North Prairie 8

R7-1 Grant County/Flasher 22, R8-2 Central McLean 14

R1-2 Wyndmere-Lidgerwood 44, R2-1 Griggs/Midkota 24

9-Man Playoffs – Quarterfinals, November 2

R6-1 South Prairie-Max at R1-1 LaMoure-LM

R4-3 Cavalier at R8-1 Linton-HMB

R7-1 Grant County/Flasher at R3-1 New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock

R1-2 Wyndmere-Lidgerwood at R3-1 Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn