Rematches define AAA, AA Dakota Bowl games

BISMARCK –  It’s time to go bowling. And hopefully there will be a trophy afterward for a couple of WDA teams. The 2025 Dakota Bowl is Friday, Nov. 14 at the Fargodome. The AAA game features (1W) Bismarck Century taking on (1E) Fargo Davies. The Eagles are in the title game for a second year in a row while the Patriots, who missed the postseason last year, are back for the first time since 2022. Davies defeated Century in week two of the season rather handily, but much has changed in the weeks that followed. Kickoff is 6:40 p.m.
Prior to that contest, the Division AA game has two West Region teams. Unbeaten (1W) Minot North takes on (2W) Devils Lake. North is making its first appearance in the championship while the Firebirds last played for a title in 2010. They met in early October in Minot with the Sentinels prevailing. More is at stake this time around. Kickoff is scheduled around 3:30 p.m. Here’s a look at the contests.

(1W) Bismarck Century (9-2) vs (1E) Fargo Davies, 10-1, Friday, Nov. 7, 6:40 p.m.
Last meeting: Sept. 5, Fargo Davies won, 34-3
Last Playoff Meeting: 2022, Century won, 12-0 (AAA semifinal)

How they got here: (1W) Bismarck Century defeated rival (3W) Bismarck Legacy in an emotional and entertaining 21-13 semifinal. The victory was the Pats’ ninth in a row and advanced the program to the Dakota Bowl for the first time since 2022. Century trailed 7-0 after one quarter and 13-6 at the half. The defense sparked the turnaround, slowing Legacy’s run game in the second half.. Century’s offense, meanwhile, found its stride, getting the game-tying score. A successful PAT allowed Century to take the lead. It added another fourth quarter score and held off the Sabers final push. (1E) Fargo Davies, meanwhile, had a bit of a different path to victory, racking up 467 yards of total offense, all on the ground, in a 51-29 shootout over (2W) Bismarck High. The Eagles return to the Dakota Bowl for a second year in a row and third time in program history.
The Eagles led 17-7 after one quarter and 24-14 at the half. They scored a pair of third quarter TDs and two more to begin the fourth to put the game out of reach.

About Fargo Davies: Usually a team that averages 37 points per game and over 397 yards of offense has a balanced attack. This is not your typical team. The program is getting it done the old-fashioned way; on the ground. Of the Eagles 4,377 offensive yards, 4050 has come by running the ball. That’s 92 percent of the offense when you do the math. And what’s impressive is the opponent knows exactly what’s coming, and still has had difficulty stopping it. 
So it begins with a veteran offensive line that is big and make it difficult for defenders to hold their positions and look for the ball carrier. Among that moving company up front is Jason Hunter, Jake Kingzett, Gus Werremeyer, Blake McCarthy, Jaxon Calvin and Wilmot Matadi. It’s capped off with a stable of rushers, who find the running lanes and can break tackles. 
Kolten Tesch has 1,321 yards on 124 carries. The senior is averaging over 10 per carry and has 16 TDs and has only one fumble. Fellow senior Kane Mathiason has 849 yards. Quarterback Xavier Muse has 726 yards on 78 carries. Senior Ryland Fischer has chipped in with 684 yards. The offense can grind out yards in four or five-yard chunks, or it can be explosive with big plays. 
In the semifinal victory, Davies had seven touchdowns, including scoring runs of 37 and 74 yards.
Defensively, Davies will allow yards as illustrated with the 402 BHS generated. For the season, offenses are gaining 296 yards per game, but the defense is getting its share of takeaways (15 interceptions and three fumbles). Matadi’s 69 total tackles at the linebacker spot is tops on the unit. DE Alex Meece is another good one. Defensive backs Alex Christopherson and Tesch each have four interceptions. 

About Century: After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006, Century is where it has been for so many of those postseason trips. In the big game. This marks its ninth Dakota Bowl since 2011. It’s here because of a solid defense and an offense that has made plays when needs to.
The defense has allowed an average of 226 yards per game. Limiting big plays and thwarting drives has been a large reason teams have only average 12 points per contest. The veteran D-Line and linebackers have been good at run pursuit. Senior Carter Kost leads the squad in tackle points. Seniors Darion Bitz, Braxton Dahl, Hunter Helgeson, Joey Kraljic and junior Ian Schweigert have been impactful as well. Collectively, the squad has 21 takeaways, including 12 interceptions. Senior Zavion Harildstad had a team-high three. The defensive will need its best performance this week.
Nothing really jumps off the stat page for Century, offensively. It doesn’t have a 1,000 yard back or passer. But it has capable players, beginning with senior quarterback Noah Herr. He’s passed for 864 yards on 66 completions after missing a few games to start the season. He was at his best in the second half against Legacy last week. Zavion Harildstad provides a deep threat for the passing game. He has 480 yards on 37 catches and five scores. Kraljic provides a big target and has 201 yards on 18 receptions and three scores. Carter Wylde leads the run game. The junior has 845 yards on 177 carries. Senior Tristan Pope has contributed 573 yards on 92 rushes. The squad has averaged 287 yards a game with a good balance of run and pass. And that will need to continue this week to move the ball and keep the Eagles’ offense grounded on the sidelines. It was a tale of two halves in the team’ first meeting. Davies led 6-3 at the break before outscoring the Patriots 28-0 en route to the 34-3 win. Century’s offense could only muster 218 yards compared to the 446, all on the ground, by the Eagles. Century QB Noah Herr was still out with an injury and did not play. Since that loss, Century has not lost.

Why Fargo Davies will win: The Eagles were in this game a season ago, and endured the sting of a title loss. It’s a veteran group that wants to end on top.

Why Century will win: The squad is finding ways to win close games against good teams, and that builds confidence. Like Davies, this is an experienced team that would like nothing better than end with a state title.

Key match up to watch: Century’s defensive success on third downs.

Fries at the bottom of the bag: Century is 4-4 in the Dakota Bowl...For the first time, Davies has had back-to-back 10-wins seasons...An EDC team has won three of the last four Dakota Bowl titles…The last team to win the Dakota Bowl a year after missing the postseason was West Fargo in 2002…WDAY-TV (ABC) will broadcast the game statewide.

(2W) Devils Lake (9-2) vs (1W) Minot North (11-0), Friday, Nov. 14, 3:30 p.m.
Last meeting: Oct. 10, Minot North won, 26-20
Last Playoff Meeting: 2024, Minot North won, 35-20 (AA quarterfinals)

How they got here: Devils Lake pulled off a semifinal upset of previously-unbeaten (1E) Kindred, 28-27 in overtime. The Firebirds clinched a spot in the Dakota Bowl for the first time since 2010 and are looking for their first championship. DL jumped out to a 14-0 lead over the Vikings and led 21-14 in the final quarter before Kindred forced overtime. The Firebirds scored on its OT possession on a Bryar Exner 2-yard run. Kindred answered with a TD of its own, but the point-after kick failed and the Firebirds prevailed.
Minot North, meanwhile, needed a fourth quarter score to rally for a 21-17 win over (2E) Central Cass. The Sentinels are playing in their first-ever Dakota Bowl in just their second varsity season.
Minot North opened the scoring against the Squirrels on a 27-yard Will Bentley TD pass from Brayden Blikre. CC, however, held a three-point lead into the third quarter. North responded to regain the lead, but the Squirrels again rallied and led by three late in the game. North’s defense got a stop and Bentley reeled in his second TD pass with under three minutes to play. The defense did the rest to secure the win.
About Devils Lake: The program had not won a playoff game since 2017. Now it has two in the last two weeks and DL is a confident group heading to Fargo. Devils Lake is coming off the biggest win its had in recent memory, knocking off a very good Kindred team. It will look to take down another unbeaten opponent in Minot North.
Devils Lake’s offense has averaged 35 points in its two playoff games. The catalyst has been senior running back Bryar Exner. He rushed for 139 yards on 27 carries in the quarterfinal win over G.F. Central and 27 more carries netted him 124 against Kindred. He’s hard to bring down, often requiring more than one defender. For the season Exner has 1,501 yards on 245 carries and 15 TDs. Senior QB Mason Palmer has 251 yards on 51 attempts.
Palmer had just 66 yards against Kindred, on 9-19 passing. But that included two TD receptions, and perhaps more importantly, no interceptions. Both TD catches went to Exner. 
For the season, Palmer has thrown for 2,483 yards and 27 TDs. His twin brother, Max, leads the way with 584 yards on 38 receptions. Weston Nelson, Sr. (25-450); William Heilman, Jr. (35-466); and Exner (36-363) have put up impressive totals. 
It’s evident the Firebirds have a balanced attack.
Defensively, Luke Wasness, Sr. (84 tackles) and Kade Fee, Sr. (80) have been stalwarts. W. Heilman’s six interceptions is tops on the squad. The D-unit allowed just 255 yards to Kindred. And just 56 in the air.

About Minot North: The squad had not trailed in the fourth quarter of any of its previous 10 games, so it was in some unfamiliar territory down 17-14 to Central Cass with less than six minutes to play. The squad didn’t show signs of panic. Instead, it let its experience, discipline and playmakers carry the squad to victory. And it was an important victory for the program which fell at home in the semifinals a season ago. But you can bet North isn’t going to just be satisfied with clearing the semifinal hurdle. It will be ready in its second meeting with the Firebirds in the title.
Minot North averaged 32 points per game in the regular season, but has averaged just 20.5 in its two playoff contests. That’s not atypical of playoff football. Often points are harder to come by as teams face tougher defenses and are a bit more conservative on play calls. 
But the team certainly has an impressive offense. The Sentinels averate 253 yards on the ground. Junior Cooper Chick’s 770 leads the way. Christian Deadmond has 437 on 72 attempts. The senior has been top rusher in the two playoff wins. Evan Berg, Sr. has 379 yards on 84 carries. And the squad has a few more options in the backfield. Senior quarterback Brayden Blikre has just 876 passing yards on 64 completions, but he threw for 210 yards and a pair of TDs vs. Central Cass. The receiving group is led by Josia Jaquinet. He has 308 yards on 20 catches and three scores. He had 82 yards receiving vs. Central Cass. Senior Will Bentley caught a pair of TDs in the semifinal and has 169 yards for the season. Junior Gavin Tobey is another capable receiver.
Defensively, North continues to be impressive. It held CC to just 47 rushing yards. And for the season, opponents are only getting about 100 yards per game. Berg’s 64 total tackles leads the team. Deadmond has 46. And if opponents think they’ll just pass their way down the field, think again. North has 24 interceptions in 11 games. Jaquinet has five. Tobey has four and senior Gunner Jost and Cole Richeson have three each. In the regular season meeting, North led 13-0 at the half and extended its lead 26-7 before the Firebirds added two fourth quarter scores. North prevailed 26-20 and both teams combined for 743 yards of total offense. North got a bulk of it on the ground (253). DL, meanwhile, had 338 passing yards. Will the title game feature that much offensive fireworks again? We’ll see.

Why Devils Lake will win: The team is playing its best football of the season. It just came off an impressive road win over a talented Kindred team and it has a balanced offense.

Why Minot North will win: The Sentinels have won with defense all season. It’s allowed less than eight points per game and it has a rabid run defense and a skillful secondary.

Match up to watch: Devils Lake’s pass game vs. Minot North’s defense

Fries at the bottom of the bag: Devils Lake is 0-4 in title games...The 20 points North allowed to DL earlier this season was the most it has surrendered in a game...DL’s nine wins is the most since posting 10 in 2010...North likely will move to AAA next season...WDAY (ABC) will broadcast the game across the state.
 

A Minot North runner is pursued by Devils Lake defenders