North Dakota State 9-Man Semifinal Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can't believe we are approaching nearly another trip to the FargoDome with North Dakota State 9-man Semifinals in action this Saturday. Four teams, only two will go to the Dome. Will we see a repeat of last year between LaMoure-Litchville-Marion and New Rockford-Sheyenne or will we have new representation in the 9-man final? We will find out around 4-5 PM Saturday who it will be, but in the meattime, take a look at our Semifinal Preview which we find. Four of the best quarterbacks we have seen in a state-semifinal, hidden gems to know, and a couple 2026 prospects that I am scratching my head do not have offers yet that I have been barking up the chain about this fall season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"24px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:24px"><strong>South Border (8-2) at LaMoure-Litchville-Marion (10-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px"><strong>Mustangs to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1226857"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690cc5c410790"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Currently our QB1 in this 2026 North Dakota, the Mustangs are led by senior gunslinger [player_tooltip player_id='1226857' first='Berkley' last='Frantz']. He is one of the more mobile quarterbacks we have found in this class with use of his legs as we expect those to be a factor against the Loboes. Even with the legs being a factor, you can't underestmiate the arm talent this young man has as he has one of the quicker releases in this class especially on intermediate routes that show off great precision to give his Mustangs receivers a leg up when getting downfield. No reported offers as of yet for our QB1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Triston Just","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"South Border","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690cc5c410890"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Defensively Triston is one that you will will want to watch in the Mustangs secondary. This young man is a straight flyer to the football from the second level with his explosive to the first level of the field. He shows off good hands and balance as a pass-catcher that can be a threat on intermediate routes. He is a positional mismatch on offense, as it's tough to tell where he might line up every snap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cam Kemmet","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"165","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690cc5c4109b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Not much tape yet on Cam, but what you can find right away is his athleticism built with his 6'2 165 can with the 1v1 battle when the ball is in the air. With a basketball background, Cam appears to have long arms to go up and get it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Loboes to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1320074"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690cc5c410a25"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'll tell you what the sample size of what I saw from Mason in a live eval from a year ago might be small, but I like the progressions this young man has made into his junior season. You can tell he's gotten more poise as his disposal and solid route-chemistry with his receiving core with great precision on his throws, especially on intermediate routes. Surely one I will have to track this weekend with his sound progression he has made in this state semifinal, as he looks like a 2027 that can play on Saturdays based on my tape eval.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1226996"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690cc5c410aa7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is not much secret as to who the weapon is to watch for from the Loboes on both sides of the ball, as it all starts with NDSU commit [player_tooltip player_id='1226996' first='Gunner' last='Thielges']. His change of direction and pull-away speed is almost video game like at the 9-man level as Gunner can take over a game when the Loboes offense needs a spark. His acceleration thru contact is also intriguing that even in a lopsided state championship game last year, Gunner showed off his grit for the game that hopes to get another shot for a 9-man championship in the Fargo Dome where he will spend a lot of time over his next 4-5 years with the Bison.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/Gunnerthielges4">TWITTER</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1320071"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690cc5c410b05"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Each time I watched the tape today on LLM quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1320074' first='Mason' last='Warcken'], I caught the attention of his main wide receiver on tape [player_tooltip player_id='1320071' first='Colby' last='Thielges'] as there was a lot to like about this young man not only as a route runner but his sound hands. Colby is a wide receiver that you can tell has a high football IQ as he knew where the seams were and also showed he can take the top off the secondary with his athletic ability. I had Colby graded last update as a defensive back, and he's not skipped a beat on tape, as a downhill flyer to the ball with great suddenness getting off blocks to get there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#5 Hankinson (9-1) at #1New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock (11-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Pirates to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["675445"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690cc5c410b8c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mason is one to know on the Pirates defensive line, as one that has made steady growth from one fall season ago. The 6'2 225 pounder, has surely gotten quicker getting off with his hands and gotten more progressive with his pass-rush moves inside as a defensive end. He's also appears to have amped up with his downhill speed into the backfield as one that if you are the Loboes offensive line, should be in for a sure battle in the trenches. Mason is another one on this list with no reported offers in this 2026 class, as one I have graded as a probable stockriser for the 2026 ND board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/masonmauch1">TWITTER</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1320066"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690cc5c410c03"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kade plays on both sides of the ball for the Hankinson Pirates, yet intrigues me most as a linebacker on the defensive side of the ball. Kade might not be the biggest LB you will ever seen, but when this young man gets into that first level his physicality checks the boxes for what you want to see. Offensively, he flashes as a pass-catcher that also has good vision around the edges and after the catch. Hope to see the junior tape soon form this young man!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1422842"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690cc5c410c5e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I watched Raeshaun in one of the Pirates first games of the season and man, was this kid just about everywhere on both sides of the ball. As the Pirates gunslinger, Raeshaun is not one that you want to get free in the open field, as I saw him take it the distance for muliple touchdowns with the use of his legs. He's developed nicely in his senior season with his arm talent in my eyes as one that was persistently accurate in the game I watched. Defensively, he is just as much of a threat at cornerback, and I wouljd be remissed if I didn't say, <strong>this is a 2026 DB target that could improve a lot fo DB rooms at the next-level.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/raeshaunearl">TWITTER</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Rockets to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jackson Schumacher","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"210","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690cc5c410d21"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In now back to back to back years scouting the Rockets during state, I am intrigued by the monsterous size they have in their bhad ackfield, which is led by 2026 running back Jackson Schumacher in his senior season. The 6'2 210 pounder, is not only a sizable back but the on tape I was very impressed with how fluid he was as a ball carrier from start to finish on a touchdown I watched of him take it the distance as he came off like a bull at the rodeo that no one wanted to get it front of. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1226854"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690cc5c410d7d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Our WR2 in the North Dakota 2026 class had himself a great live eval last year in the FargoDome as one of the biggest threats to watch for in this state semifinal on both sides of the ball. The 6'3 185 pounder, Easton I feel based on watching the tape, has gotten more long and springy as route-runner even from a year ago and even looks like he has gotten longer with his catch radius. He was one of the best wide receivers in the entire state championship games I saw last year in Fargo, and I am surprised he doesn't have more D2 attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1568610"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690cc5c410dd4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sleepers, hidden gems, whatever term you want to use we talk about them all the time at PRZ, and there isn't a bigger either one of those in this grouping of prospects than New Rockford-Sheyenne 2026 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1568610' first='Easton' last='Simon'] in my book. The 6'0 180 pounder, can sling it on all three levels and is one of the most poised quarterbacks that is still uncommitted in this class inside the pocket. He also has a great football IQ that it's clear he understands how to utilize his arm strength to make the proper throw with the right timing. No reported offers yet, which I know i said it a good chunk, but that REALLY shocks me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/EastonSimon_2">TWITTER</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->