Moorhead Extends Perfect Season, Central Cass and Kindred Advance in North Dakota Playoffs

Moorhead High School remains undefeated after winning its first playoff game as a Class 6A program, defeating its opponent 64-29 on Friday. The Spuds hosted the contest, marking their initial postseason appearance in the larger division. Quarterback Jett Feeney led the offense, throwing two touchdown passes to David Mack and three to Zak Walker in the first half alone. Feeney also passed Joe Mauer to rank fifth all-time in single-season passing touchdowns in school history. Mack left the game with an injury, but the Spuds maintained control of the ball and the scoreboard throughout the contest.

The weekend marked the first edition of WDAY's First Down Friday coverage, which featured playoff matchups from both sides of the Red River. Results from the quarterfinal round determined which teams would move on to face off next week. Five games produced decisive outcomes, with four winners advancing to the semifinal stage.

In Casselton, the Central Cass Squirrels defeated the Devils Lake Firebirds 28-8. Central Cass enters the semifinal round for the second straight year. The Squirrels established a 14-0 lead in the first half. Brody Kegley threw a touchdown pass to junior Blaise Cotton in the first quarter. He followed that with a scoring throw to senior Parker Wixo in the second quarter. Devils Lake, the 2025 champion, scored its only points of the game late in the second half. Senior Easton Encinas ran for a touchdown and the Firebirds converted a two-point play, bringing the halftime score to 14-8. Kegley tied a school single-season record with his 26th touchdown of the year when he connected with Wixo from 54 yards in the third quarter. The Squirrels added a late rushing touchdown by Kegley to secure the win. Devils Lake finishes with a 6-4 record, while Central Cass improves to 7-3.

In Kindred, the top-seeded Vikings held off a Jamestown Blue Jays squad to win 28-21. Jamestown held a seven-point lead at halftime after Brady Neenow connected with Braden Hemminger on a wheel route. Kindred tied the game in the second half after recovering a muffed punt. Jackson Schlieman threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Luke Starcevic. The Vikings regained the lead when Graham Hess intercepted a pass and returned it for a score, making it 21-14. Kindred utilized a hook-and-ladder trick play to seal the victory. Starcevic pitched to Brock Johnson, who ran into the end zone for the final margin of victory.

West Fargo defeated Mandan in a back-and-forth Class 3A quarterfinal. The Packers took an early lead when Joaquin Valdez scored on the second play of the game. Mandan responded in the second half, but West Fargo countered with a deep touchdown connection between Camarillo and Wyatt Dockter. West Fargo fell behind in the fourth quarter before Ashton Wiggestrand scored on a long rushing touchdown to retake the lead. Wyatt Knudsen recorded a fourth-down sack for the defense, helping the Packers hold on to advance. West Fargo will play in the semifinals next Friday.

In Horace, Century defeated the top-seeded Horace team 28-14. The teams entered the second half tied at 14. Century's Knoxx Wedelstedt scored the first touchdown of the second half. The defense then stopped Horace on three plays inside the two-yard line. Century drove back down the field, and Wedelstedt scored again to establish a 28-14 lead. That margin held for the final score. Century will face Legacy in the semifinals as they attempt to return to the Dakota Bowl.

Central Cass will face Minot North in the semifinals. The teams met in the 2025 Division 2A semifinals, a game Minot North won 21-17. The upcoming matchup represents a rematch of that contest. West Fargo, Century, and Kindred all advance to their respective semifinal rounds following Friday's victories. The playoff brackets will be updated to reflect these results as the tournament progresses toward the final days of the season.