Nathan Beitler/MDN Minot North Senior quarterback Brayden Blikre (No. 11) scans his options downfield during the Sentinels’ home state semifinals game against the Central Cass Squirrels Friday night, Nov. 7.

The Minot North Sentinels took down the Central Cass Squirrels 21-17 with a last minute touchdown in their 2025 NDHSAA Division AA Football State semifinals Friday night, Nov. 7, to advance to the Division AA State championship.

The Sentinels’ undefeated streak lives on after their Friday night game, ending with a nine-yard pass to senior tight-end William Bentley with less than a minute left in the ball game. The pass put an end to the tumultuous game after both teams treaded leads over the four quarters.

The Sentinels struck first in the first quarter of the game with a touchdown pass to senior tight-end William Bentley. The Minot North defense played a key role in the rest of the first half of the ball game, keeping the Squirrels at bay and only allowing them a field goal in the first minute of the second quarter. The score was 7-3 for the Sentinels heading into the second half.

Both teams really came alive in the third quarter as snow started to fall on the field. The Squirrels struck first in the third quarter, scoring a touchdown on a pass into the endzone to take the lead 10-7. It didn’t take long for the Sentinels to respond with another touchdown of their own, this time with a quarterback sneak by senior Brayden Blikre, giving Minot North their lead back with just over six minutes left in the third quarter. There was another lead change early in the fourth quarter, with the Squirrels earning their second touchdown of the game, giving them a 17-14 lead over the Sentinels.

Both teams struggled to take the ball downfield as the clock ticked closer and closer to the end of the fourth, but Minot North was able to swoop in with William Bently scoring his second touchdown of the night with a pass from Blikre with just 48 seconds left before the end of the game. The Squirrels were unable to score on their following drive, giving Minot North the win in the semifinal game 21-17.

The Sentinels advance to the Dakota Bowl, where they will take on Devils Lake in the 2025 NDHSAA Division AA title game. The game is scheduled to begin at the Fargo Dome on Friday, Nov. 14, after the conclusion of the Div. A title game.