Nathan Beitler/MDN Minot North senior Christian Deadmond pushes through the Roughriders’ defense for a first down at their quarterfinal home game against Grand Forks Red River on Friday night, Oct. 31.

The Minot North Sentinels continue their undefeated streak after their Division AA State Quarterfinal victory 20-6 against the Grand Forks Red River Roughriders Friday night, Oct. 31.

Grand Forks Red River was the first team to kick off the points race in Friday night’s game with a score just under halfway through the first quarter.

The Roughriders’ senior quarterback, Matthew Dosch, ran the ball in 35 yards, dragging Minot North junior defender Gavin Tobey into the endzone with him as the Sentinels tried to make the tackle. Dosch was able to power through the Minot North defense to put the first six points of the game on the board.

The Sentinels would not let the Roughriders get too far ahead early on though, as Minot North senior defender Gunnar Jost was able to circumvent the Red River offense and block the extra point, leaving the Roughriders with just a six point lead.

Red River’s touchdown would go unanswered in the first quarter of the game, but the Sentinels were quickly able to strike back in the second play of the second quarter, scoring a touchdown of their own.

Senior Christian Deadmond punched the ball in for the Sentinels on a five yard run straight through the Roughriders’ defense. Red River quickly got their own revenge as they were also successfully able to block the extra-point kick by the Sentinels, knotting the game up at 6-6.

The Sentinels’ touchdown was the last of the first half of the game, making the score 6-6 to start the third quarter.

The third quarter of the game would go scoreless, but the top of the fourth quarter saw senior Christian Deadmond score his second touchdown of the game on a seven yard run into the endzone.

This time, the Sentinels were able to score the extra point, putting them seven points above the Roughriders with a score of 13-6.

After taking the lead less than a minute into the fourth quarter, the Sentinels would maintain that lead for the rest of the game.

Minot North scored one more run with six minutes and 17 seconds left in the ball game when senior Evan Berg pushed his way through the Roughrider defense into the endzone.

The Sentinels confirmed the extra point, giving them a 20-6 lead with just over six minutes left in the game.

The Roughriders were unable to work their way back to their end of the field, and the game ended with a Minot North victory 20-6.

“[The Roughriders] came out defensively a little different than what we expected,” said Sentinels coach Jacob Holmen. “They changed their plan from the last time we played them, so they were well prepared. It took a little time to get used to the fronts that they were playing, they sent some backers that they hadn’t shown, but I’m really proud of our guys’ effort tonight.”

The Sentinels will move on to the NDHSAA Division AA Semifinals to take on Central Cass at home next week on Friday, Nov. 7.