NEW ROCKFORD- It was billed as a battle of high-scoring unbeatens.  It instead turned into the same thing Rockets fans have seen every game this season: a second half running clock.

Easton Simon threw for 275 yards and four touchdowns as New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock (11-0) rolled to a 64-28 win over Westhope/Newburg/Glenburn (10-1) on Saturday in New Rockford.

After Carter Engebretson scored a 2-yard rushing touchdown on the opening drive for a 6-0 lead, Simon went to work, finding Easton Benz for the first of two receiving touchdowns on the day from seven yards out for a 14-0 lead.  The Sioux would respond with Walker Braaten finding Will Artz for a 31-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 14-6.

Later in the first half, Braaten had a pass across the middle intercepted by Kage Walford and returned for a touchdown.  It was Braaten’s first interception of the season.  Bradyn Collier would add another pick-six in the second half to extend the lead.

Walford finished with six carries for 145 yards and a touchdown along with five catches for 118 yards and a touchdown as the NR-S/M offense amassed 535 total yards (275 passing, 260 rushing) in the win.  Simon was 13/19 passing on the day and in addition to the two scores to Benz added touchdown passes to Bennett Meier (68 yards) and Walford (7 yards).

The Rockets will look for their first state championship in twelve years when they face (1) LaMoure-LM on Friday in the DakotaBowl XXXII 9-man State Championship Game.  Coverage on KDAK The Cardinal begins at 11:30am.