Central Cass advances while top seeds survive in North Dakota playoffs
The Squirrels ended a reigning champion's season, and Moorhead set a single-season passing record in its first 6-A playoff appearance.
By Austin Reed ·
The Central Cass Squirrels eliminated the 2025 state champion Devils Lake Firebirds 28-8 on Friday night in Casselton, securing their spot in the Division 2A semifinals for the second year in a row. The loss ended the season for the 6-4 Firebirds, who had won the title the previous year.
Brody Kegley directed the Squirrels' offense with three touchdown passes and a rushing score. He connected with junior Blaise Cotton early in the first quarter and later found senior Parker Wixo from 54 yards out. That long strike came after an interception by Zane Blixt and tied the school's single-season record for touchdown passes. Devils Lake scored only twice, with senior Easton Encinas adding his 10th personal touchdown of the season late in the second quarter.
In a different matchup, top-seeded Kindred defeated Jamestown 28-21 in a game that swung on defensive plays and trickery. Jamestown led 14-7 at halftime after Brady Neenow threw a wheel route to Braden Hemminger. Kindred tied the game after recovering a muffed punt, with Jackson Schlieman finding Luke Starcevic for a 20-yard score. The Vikings took a 21-14 lead when Graham Hess intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown.
Kindred equalized again on a hook-and-ladder play, where Starcevic pitched to Brock Johnson for the score. The Blue Jays held the lead for the final minutes to advance. The result extends Kindred's playoff run after a regular season that saw them dominate their division.
West Fargo advanced in the Class 3A bracket with a victory over Mandan. The Packers struck first on the second play of the game when Joaquin Valdez scored. Mandan gained momentum in the second half, but West Fargo countered with a deep pass from Camarillo to Wyatt Dockter. Ashton Wiggestrand broke the tie in the fourth quarter with a long rushing touchdown. Wyatt Knudsen's fourth-down sack sealed the win for the home team.
Century upset the top-seeded Horace team 28-14 in Horace. The teams entered the second half tied at 14. Century's defense stopped Horace on three consecutive plays inside its two-yard line. Knoxx Wedelstedt scored twice in the second half to give Century the lead, which it held to the final whistle. The Patriots will now face Legacy in the semifinals.
Moorhead remained unbeaten in its first playoff game as a 6-A school, routing its opponent 64-29. Jett Feeney threw for six touchdowns in the first half alone. He connected with David Mack twice and Zak Walker three times. Mack left the game with an injury in the second half. Feeney's performance moved him to fifth all-time in single-season passing touchdowns in school history.
The semifinal round begins next Friday. Central Cass will face Minot North in a rematch of the previous year's Division 2A semifinal, where Minot North won 21-17. The other matchups have been set following Friday's quarterfinal results across the state.
All four winning teams from Friday's games will look to continue their seasons in the semifinal round. The Central Cass squad aims to improve on its previous year's result, while Moorhead seeks its first title as a 6-A program. Century and West Fargo will face their respective opponents in the next round of the postseason tournament.
