2021 9B Playoff Bracket

[WalkingStick]

FINALS
May-Port-CG def. Enderlin/Maple Valley 20-18
Grant County-Flasher def. South Border 32-14
North Prairie def. New Rockford-Sheyenne 40-14
St. John def. Four Winds 20-6

Mott-Regent/New England def. Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter 66-42
Lewis & Clark def. Kenmare/Bowbells/Burke Central 26-6
Wyndmere-Lidgerwood def. Finley-Sharon-Hope-Page 26-18
Ray-Powers Lake def. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 44-14

Second Round
Saturday October 23rd
G9 - May-Port-CG (8-1) @ #1 (1) LaMoure-L-M (8-0)
G10 - Grant County/Flasher (5-4) @ #8 Hettinger Scranton (6-2)
G11 - North Prairie (6-3) @ #4 (5) Bottineau (8-0)
G12 - St. John (6-3) @ #5 (4) Nelson County (8-0)
G13 - Mott-Regent/New England (5-4) @ #2 (2) New Salem-Almont (8-0)
G14 - Lewis & Clark (6-3) @ #7 Divide County (7-1)
G15 - Wyndmere-Lidgerwood (7-2) @ #3 (3) Cavalier (8-0)
G16 - Ray/Powers Lake (8-1) @ (RV) Surrey (6-1)

[ChickenNuggets]

MPCG @ #1 LaMoure/L/M-
MPCG Pulled off some late heroics with less than a minute to go to advance to this game. They'll be flying high from the excitement of that win. MPCG has one of the top RB's in the state in Bergstrom. But LaMoure has been a different beast this year. I would think this will be one of LaMoure's more competitive games to this point, but I think they have too much firepower and win something like 38-18

Grant County/Flasher @ #8 Hettinger/Scranton
This is an intriguing match-up for me. GCF is trending in a positive way right now, winning their last 3 games by 3 scores or more. Hettinger is coming off of a bye preceded by a let-down vs. Napoleon to end the season. Hettinger beat GCF in the regular season, but so did South Border and look how that turned out the other day. I will take GCF with their experience in the playoffs to win a slugfest 30-18

North Prairie @ #4 Bottineau
North Prairie and Bottineau played just 2 weeks ago in the regular season finale and it was all Bottineau. I don't see anything going a whole lot differently the second time around. Maybe a score less for Bottineau and one more for NP would make it a Bottineau win 44-20

St. John @ #5 Nelson County
UPSET ALERT- These two played in week 1 of the regular season with Nelson County winning 14-8. St. John has won 5 of their last 6 games with that one loss being the closest game that anyone has played against Bottineau all season. This could be a fairly low scoring affair. St. John wins 20-12

Mott/Regent vs. #2 New Salem/Almont
New Salem just beat Mott Regent 55-12 in the last game of the season. I do not see them closing that gap a whole lot. I would expect something similar. 50-14 in favor of the Holsteins

Lewis & Clark @ #7 Divide County
DC beat L&C 42-6 in week 2. A lot can change over the course of 2 months, but I don't think enough has changed to expect a different result. Divide County lost their regular season finale and has now had an extra week to think about that. I'm guessing they take out some frustrations on the Bombers. DC wins 50-12

Wyndmere/Liderwood @ #3 Cavalier
These two squared off early in the season with Cavalier winning 38-30 In Wyndmere. Now the Tornadoes get to play at home and Wyndmere Lidgerwood will be playing without a couple of their better players who have been lost to injury. WL won 26-18 vs. FSHP this weekend, Cavalier beat FSHP 38-0 the week prior. I expect something like a Cavalier win by a score of 30-12

Ray/Powers Lake @ #6 Surrey
GAME OF THE WEEK- Surrey was expected to be one of the favorites in this division coming into the season and maybe they still are, but their one and only loss so far this season has come at the hands of the team they play this week in their first playoff game. RPL has an explosive offense scoring at least 40 in every game they've played including scoring 50+ in 3 games and 60+ in another. The key to this one will be whether or not Surrey can find a way to slow down that RPL offense. 2 point conversions are going to be very important! RPL won a 2-point game at home the first time around, Surrey has the home field advantage this time. I'll take the Mustangs by a score of 44-40

[woodchuck10]

G9 - May-Port-CG (8-1) @ #1 (1) LaMoure-L-M (8-0) 60-20

G10 - Grant County/Flasher (5-4) @ #8 Hettinger Scranton (6-2) 34-24

G11 - North Prairie (6-3) @ #4 (5) Bottineau (8-0) NP had some guys when they played NC, SJ and Bottineau. They're all back now and I think they get the upset. 28-24

G12 - St. John (6-3) @ #5 (4) Nelson County (8-0) 22-16. Toss up game. I think SJ is way better since August. Defense was the only thing that kept us in the game earlier in the year. Offense has caught up since. If NC wins it will be because they made some big plays passing the ball.

G13 - Mott-Regent/New England (5-4) @ #2 (2) New Salem-Almont (8-0) 52-20

G14 - Lewis & Clark (6-3) @ #7 Divide County (7-1) 40-0

G15 - Wyndmere-Lidgerwood (7-2) @ #3 (3) Cavalier (8-0) 28-22

G16 - Ray/Powers Lake (8-1) @ (RV) Surrey (6-1) 40-36

[WalkingStick]

G9 - May-Port-CG (8-1) @ #1 (1) LaMoure-L-M (8-0)
LaMoure-LM 60-6

G10 - Grant County/Flasher (5-4) @ #8 Hettinger Scranton (6-2)
Grant County/Flasher 34-22

G11 - North Prairie (6-3) @ #4 (5) Bottineau (8-0)
Bottineau 38-36

G12 - St. John (6-3) @ #5 (4) Nelson County (8-0)
Nelson County 26-24

G13 - Mott-Regent/New England (5-4) @ #2 (2) New Salem-Almont (8-0)
New Salem-Almont 48-18

G14 - Lewis & Clark (6-3) @ #7 Divide County (7-1)
Divide County 52-12

G15 - Wyndmere-Lidgerwood (7-2) @ #3 (3) Cavalier (8-0)
Cavalier 54-12; different game if W-L were healthy - Cavalier would still win IMO

G16 - Ray/Powers Lake (8-1) @ (RV) Surrey (6-1)
Ray/Powers Lake 46-44

[ndlionsfan]

LLM 48-20
GCF 32-26
Botno 42-14
NC 36-20
NSA 48-12
DC 48-6
Cav 36-18
RPL 52-40

[defensewinsgames]

G9 - May-Port-CG (8-1) @ #1 (1) LaMoure-L-M (8-0) I'm not sure anyone can knock off the Loboes but I'm fairly confident it won't be MayPort. LLM wins 48 to 12.

G10 - Grant County/Flasher (5-4) @ #8 Hettinger Scranton (6-2) Interesting game. Grant County is peaking at the right time and has all the momentum coming into the game. Hettinger gets to play at home and has looked like the better team for the full season. I think it comes down to a 2 point conversion made or missed in the 4th. Hettinger wins 30 to 28.

G11 - North Prairie (6-3) @ #4 (5) Bottineau (8-0) Bottineau keeps on rolling. I know they moved down a division but I still think it is crazy that they are undefeated, got a playoff bye, and are the 4 seed. Pretty cool for that program. Too many weapons for North Prairie to keep up. Bottineau wins 44 to 22.

G12 - St. John (6-3) @ #5 (4) Nelson County (8-0) This is the most likely upset this week. Really close game between these two in week one and St. John now looks like a different team. I will take St. John to win a low scoring slug fest 22 to 14.

G13 - Mott-Regent/New England (5-4) @ #2 (2) New Salem-Almont (8-0) New Salem might be the only team I think has a chance to beat Lamoure (unless they get injuries). I think they roll here. New Salem wins 44 to 12.

G14 - Lewis & Clark (6-3) @ #7 Divide County (7-1) That bad end of season loss to Surrey has really changed some people's perception of Divide. I think it might have been the best thing that happened to them. You can evaluate yourself more honestly in a loss. I will take Divide to roll and move back towards making a lot of noise. Divide wins 38 to 16.

G15 - Wyndmere-Lidgerwood (7-2) @ #3 (3) Cavalier (8-0) This would have been my game of the week and one I wanted to see all year. Without all of their guys though I don't think Wyndmere can keep up. Only way they have a chance is to keep it slow, sloppy, and low scoring. Cavalier wins 44 to 18.

G16 - Ray/Powers Lake (8-1) @ (RV) Surrey (6-1) Surrey lost by two the 2nd week of the season and it totally changed how people have talked about them. They haven't had a lot of big wins to prove people wrong because of the schedule but had a nice one at the end of the season over Divide. I think this is a new team who learned a lot from game one. It is tough to beat an evenly matched team twice in one season. Surrey wins 44 to 40.

[Sorenson23]

LaMoure-Litchville-Marion 50-8
Grant County-Flasher 30-20
Bottineau 34-30
St. John 22-20
New Salem-Almont 50-12
Divide County 40-8
Cavalier 38-8
Ray-Powers Lake 26-22

A few teams are riding a wave of momentum into the second round. The eight teams that had byes, I think as many as three could get knocked off this weekend. I know LaMoure-L-M & New Salem are really good and probably will meet for the state title, but no team is unbeatable. It is just who comes ready play, anyone can be anyone on any given night. But hopefully everyone can stay healthy, and can get some really competitive games.

[ChickenNuggets]

LaMoure-Litchville-Marion 50-8
Grant County-Flasher 30-20
Bottineau 34-30
St. John 22-20
New Salem-Almont 50-12
Divide County 40-8
Cavalier 38-8
Ray-Powers Lake 26-22

A few teams are riding a wave of momentum into the second round. The eight teams that had byes, I think as many as three could get knocked off this weekend. I know LaMoure-L-M & New Salem are really good and probably will meet for the state title, but no team is unbeatable. It is just who comes ready play, anyone can be anyone on any given night. But hopefully everyone can stay healthy, and can get some really competitive games.

I can't help but to think that this is going to be a very wide-open field. There are going to be a couple of terrific match-ups this week in the round of 16 and then next week is going to be extremely competitive in the quarterfinals. Especially the half of the bracket opposite of LaMoure. I wouldn't count out a team like Cavalier who has been in the finals each of the past two seasons. Or a team like Surrey who has played some very good teams this year and does have one close loss. They were one of the pre-season favorites, If they had beaten Ray/PL by 2 instead of losing that game, they're unbeaten and are probably seeded anywhere between 2 and 4 overall. Ray/PL is in the same boat. They lost one very close game that if it had gone the other way and it easily could have, they're looking at a top 4 seed. They're no easy out for anyone that they go up against! Divide County had a great season minus one game. I wouldn't say that if they go to New Salem for the Quarterfinals that they are HUGE underdogs in that game.

[The Schwab]

GCF is a very trendy pick to win this weekend. They're a good team who's clicking right now. It'll be interesting to see how their matchup goes with Hettinger-Scranton. HS knocked them in the mouth the first time they played.

[Bacon]

If I’m not mistaken, Grant County did not have their starting QB the whole season. Injured preseason. He is back now and apparently very good.

[Sportsrube]

If I’m not mistaken, Grant County did not have their starting QB the whole season. Injured preseason. He is back now and apparently very good.

You are right. He was close to unstoppable against South Border and I believe he is only a Sophomore.

[bison football73]

If I’m not mistaken, Grant County did not have their starting QB the whole season. Injured preseason. He is back now and apparently very good.

You are right. He was close to unstoppable against South Border and I believe he is only a Sophomore.

You are both wrong. He is a senior and he missed 1 game this year. They're clicking and have momentum right now. Hope they can pull it out this week and take on Lamoure next week. I think that loss to TGU in the first round last year is motivating them and they're out for vengeance.

[WalkingStick]

If I’m not mistaken, Grant County did not have their starting QB the whole season. Injured preseason. He is back now and apparently very good.

You are right. He was close to unstoppable against South Border and I believe he is only a Sophomore.

He is a senior

[UNDSiouxfan]

Second Round
Saturday October 23rd
G9 - May-Port-CG (8-1) @ #1 (1) LaMoure-L-M (8-0) LaMoure LLM by 6 scores. I'll say 50-12.
G10 - Grant County/Flasher (5-4) @ #8 Hettinger Scranton (6-2) GCF by a 2 pt conversion. 30-28.
G11 - North Prairie (6-3) @ #4 (5) Bottineau (8-0) Bottineau by 4 TD's.
G12 - St. John (6-3) @ #5 (4) Nelson County (8-0) NC 26-20.
G13 - Mott-Regent/New England (5-4) @ #2 (2) New Salem-Almont (8-0) NSA wins big. 46-6
G14 - Lewis & Clark (6-3) @ #7 Divide County (7-1) DC by 4 TD's.
G15 - Wyndmere-Lidgerwood (7-2) @ #3 (3) Cavalier (8-0) Cavalier 36-12.
G16 - Ray/Powers Lake (8-1) @ (RV) Surrey (6-1) Should be a shootout. I'll take the home team 46-42.

[bison football73]

Second Round
Saturday October 23rd
G9 - May-Port-CG (8-1) @ #1 (1) LaMoure-L-M (8-0)
G10 - Grant County/Flasher (5-4) @ #8 Hettinger Scranton (6-2)
G11 - North Prairie (6-3) @ #4 (5) Bottineau (8-0)
G12 - St. John (6-3) @ #5 (4) Nelson County (8-0)
G13 - Mott-Regent/New England (5-4) @ #2 (2) New Salem-Almont (8-0)
G14 - Lewis & Clark (6-3) @ #7 Divide County (7-1)
G15 - Wyndmere-Lidgerwood (7-2) @ #3 (3) Cavalier (8-0)
G16 - Ray/Powers Lake (8-1) @ (RV) Surrey (6-1)

[ChickenNuggets]

And then there were 8.... The top 7 seeds all advance to Quarterfinals along with a Grant County/Flasher team that seems to be clicking on all cylinders and was among the pre-season favorites. This should make for an excellent weekend of football!

Unranked Grant County/Flasher (6-4) @ #1 LaMoure/Litchville/Marion
Before the season started, Many thought that this could be the state title match-up. It's a couple rounds earlier than that, but should be exciting nonetheless, especially the way these two teams are playing lately. LaMoure is quick and athletic, a well-balanced team. GCF is big and physical but has some electric playmakers as well. It will absolutely be LLM's biggest test to date. I expect a close game, but I'm not sure if GCF can bottle up LLM's offense for four quarters. I'll take LLM 38-32. (I haven't been completely sold on LLM all year, if this one is a blow-out then they may convince me that they're the real deal).

#5 Nelson County @ #4 Bottineau
This is the only match-up this week between unbeaten teams. Nelson County keeps on winning. They have 3 wins in tight games decided by just one score. Bottineau has beaten everyone by two scores or more all season long and they have played a lot of the same opponents. I'll take Bottineau to advance. Something like 28-16.

#6 Surrey @ #3 Cavalier
Surrey has the real deal in their backfield. no one has been able to bottle him up all season. Cavalier has a tremendous defense and always seems to come up with a plan to take away the other team's biggest weapons. This game could come down to the turnover battle. I think both offenses are going to be able to put points on the board so whoever gets the most takeaways will win. I'll take Cavalier 38-28

#7 Divide County @ #2 New Salem-Almont
If nothing else, this game is going to be physical! Both teams are big and strong up front. Both teams have put up big numbers offensively when needed and have played solid defense as well. Both teams have play-makers, but I just have a feeling that NSA has a few more play-makers and might be able to exploit a few things on offense. I'll take the Holsteins, at home, 26-20 with a late score to seal the deal.

[woodchuck10]

G17 - (6-4) R6 #3 Grant County-Flasher @ #1 LaMoure-L-M R1 #1 (9-0) I want to pick GCF so bad. Like said before If LLM wins big they will win out easily. 36-26 LLM scoring late to seal it.

G18 - (9-0) R3 #1 Nelson County @ #4 Bottineau (9-0) Looking at scores I should be picking Bottineau but something about this Nelson County Team. I think they get it done 26-22

G19 - (8-1) R8 #1 Divide County @ #2 New Salem-Almont R5 #1 (9-0) Another team that should challenge LLM if they meet in the dome. NSA controls the whole game 40-20

G20 - (7-1) R7 #1 Surrey @ #3 Cavalier (9-0) Could see Cavalier in the Dome as well. Jenner gets his but Cavalier controls the game 50-28

[defensewinsgames]

Quarterfinals
Saturday October 30th
G17 - (6-4) R6 #3 Grant County-Flasher @ #1 LaMoure-L-M R1 #1 (9-0) - I don't get the people that "still aren't sold" on LLM. Their closest game all season was 30 points and it was to a team ranked in state or receiving votes for large parts of the season. They beat FSHP 54 to 0, Wyndmere 42 to 12, and MayPort 42 to 0 and have given up 12 points all season (all in one game by the way). What else do they need to do to "prove it" to you? I predict they roll over a very hot and tough Grant County team and then roll through the playoffs with their closest game all season being in the championship game vs. New Salem where they win by 20+. I will take LaMoure to win 42 to 12.

G18 - (9-0) R3 #1 Nelson County @ #4 Bottineau (9-0) - Two teams that have struggled recently but now are one seeds in their region, undefeated, and into the quarterfinals. I think it is a great storyline game and good for both programs (I wish they didn't have to play each other so both would have a chance to move to the semi-finals). I think the weapons of Bottineau win out in the end and Bottineau wins 28 to 16.

G19 - (8-1) R8 #1 Divide County @ #2 New Salem-Almont R5 #1 (9-0) - This half of the bracket has two great games this week. Divide was absolutely rolling before stumbling late in the season to a very good Surrey team. New Salem has been dominate all season in what might have been the toughest region in 9 man this year with NGS and South Border in it plus a decent Central McLean team. I think that being in the region with those tougher teams gave New Salem experience that will win out here (Divide only had Powers Lake, Kenmare made the playoffs with two wins in that region). New Salem wins 24 to 18.

G20 - (7-1) R7 #1 Surrey @ #3 Cavalier (9-0) - I think this is the best game this week. Surrey is playing as well as anyone right now. Cavalier has the tradition and has had a great season of their own. Cavalier hasn't been tested since week 2, they just rolled Wyndmere but they were without a few of their top guys. Surrey lost to a very good Powers Lake team week 2 then beat them last week. I think this turns into a shootout and points go up in bunches especially in the 2nd half. I will take Surrey to upset if the bus ride doesn't get to them. Surrey wins 48 to 42 on a late touchdown.

[Sportsrube]

Got a chance to watch LLM v. Mayville on BEK this weekend and I believe LLM is everything they are said to be. Their line on both sides of the ball is dominant and they have a couple of real ball hawks in their secondary. (The BEK guys said they have two guys with at least 6 picks this year.) They also have a real threat at running back and a very athletic QB. After watching them this week I don't see LLM losing this year. I think LLM wins by 16 this week.
I will also take Bottineau by 8, New Salem by 6 and Surrey by 12.

[WalkingStick]

G17 - (6-4) R6 #3 Grant County-Flasher @ #1 LaMoure-L-M R1 #1 (9-0)
LaMoure-LM 42-12

G18 - (9-0) R3 #1 Nelson County @ #4 Bottineau (9-0)
Bottineau 28-26

G19 - (8-1) R8 #1 Divide County @ #2 New Salem-Almont R5 #1 (9-0)
New Salem-Almont 62-18

G20 - (7-1) R7 #1 Surrey @ #3 Cavalier (9-0)
Cavalier 42-28

[UNDSiouxfan]

was 8/8 last week so I'll try again.

Semifinals:

G17 - (6-4) R6 #3 Grant County-Flasher @ #1 LaMoure-L-M R1 #1 (9-0)
Should be a great battle among what may be the two top QB's in the state, but this LLM team is simply one of the strongest 9 man teams I've seen in several years. To compete with LaMoure you need a perfect game and to force a couple of turnovers. I will say that GCF won't go down without a fight and it will be close at halftime, but LaMoure-LM overpowers and wins 40-12 or so.

G18 - (9-0) R3 #1 Nelson County @ #4 Bottineau (9-0)
Bottineau 26-18

G19 - (8-1) R8 #1 Divide County @ #2 New Salem-Almont R5 #1 (9-0)
New Salem-Almont 46-20

G20 - (7-1) R7 #1 Surrey @ #3 Cavalier (9-0)
Cavalier 46-30.

[The Schwab]

My predictions for this week:

GCF vs. LLM- I'll take LLM in this one, but I think it's going to be close.
NC vs. Bottineau- Bottineau wins this one by a couple scores
DV vs. NSA- I think New Salem will win by multiple scores
Surrey vs. Cavalier- I'll take Surrey in this one by 4.

[Sorenson23]

G17 - (6-4) R6 #3 Grant County-Flasher @ #1 LaMoure-L-M R1 #1 (9-0) LLM 30-20
G18 - (9-0) R3 #1 Nelson Count @ #4 Bottineau (9-0) Bottineau 36-16
G19 - (8-1) R8 #1 Divide County @ #2 New Salem-Almont R5 #1 (9-0) New Salem 40-12
G20 - (7-1) R7 #1 Surrey @ #3 Cavalier (9-0) Cavalier 36-30

[ndlionsfan]

LLM over GCF 42-12
Botno over NC 26-18
NSA over DC 48-6
Cav over Surrey 32-20

[Sportsrube]

LaMoure up on Grant County 20 - 14 at halftime. A very good game. Grant County is trying to control the clock with their running game and having some success. LaMoure has their hands full, but Potts has been the difference maker so far.