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ROCKFORD, N.D. (NewsDakota.com)  The Rockets of New Rockford/Sheyenne trailed 32-12 going into the fourth quarter, but would score three unanswered touchdowns to get the victory over the Kidder County Wolves on Saturday afternoon 36-34 in the first round of the 2017 9-man Football State Playoffs.  NR-S improves to 6-3 overall, KC ends their season at 5-4 overall.

The Rockets would get first blood when Allmaras connected with Bo Belquist for a 27-yard touchdown pass with a little over three minutes played in the first quarter.  Then Kidder County scored three touchdowns unanswered, Sophomore Isaiah Harter would score from three yards out in the second quarter, making it 8-6 at the halftime break.

At the start of the third quarter, Sophomore Parker Hager had a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.  About three minutes later, Senior QB Justin Six connected with Ty Hanson for a 21-yard TD.  NRS would score again in the third quarter as would KC making it 32-12 after three quarters.  The last quarter saw three TD’s from NRS, Allmaras would connect with Longnecker and Holzwarth for a TD each and the last score came from Belquist from a yard out with 2:51 left to play.

With under a minute left to play, the Rockets would line up to punt on fourth down deep in their own territory but would run the ball into the end zone for a safety.  On the ensuing kickoff, the Wolves would start about midfield but would throw an interception to end the game.

Junior QB Teddy Allmaras ended the game completing 15 of 30 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns.  Sophomore Wide Receiver Nathan Holzwarth caught six passes for 118 yards and a touchdown.  Sophomore Bo Belquist caught eight passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns.  Junior Tucker Longnecker had one catch for 32 yards and one touchdown.

The Rockets will travel to Wyndmere on Saturday afternoon, October 21st for the second round of the 9-man playoffs to take on the Warbirds of Wyndmere/Lidgerwood.  The game will be broadcast on the Raven 103.1 FM and newsdakota.com.