In dominating fashion the Kittson County Central Bearcats punched their ticket to the Section-8 9-man championship game Saturday afternoon in Hallock with a 50-12 win over the Win-E-Mac Patriots. From the start, the Bearcats showcased their firepower jumping out to an early lead opening the game with 19 unanswered points. Throughout the course of the game, their defense was stout, forcing three fumbles and an interception. Despite the Patriots’ response of 12 straight points of their own late in the first and early in the second, Kittson County Central reestablished control and kept it through the raminder of the game. Ultimately the Bearcats were the better team as they clinched their berth in the sectional championship game for the third time in the last five years. 

It would be hard to imagine a better start than the Bearcats had today, and it started on defense. Win-E-Mac ran just three plays on their opening drive, when on the third play KCC forced their first of three fumbles that was recovered by Karsynn Peterson. Operating with a short field, it took just three plays for the Bearcats to find the Endzone. Quarterback Eli Peterson connected with Kellan Johnson for the first of his three passing touchdowns to give the Bearcats a 7-0 lead. The defense got back to work, forcing a three-and-out, which set up arguably the most electric play of the game on special teams. After catching the punt at his own 30, Knutson streaked down the sideline to house the punt for a 70-yard touchdown. Although the Patriots fared slightly better on their third drive, they still turned it over on downs, which KCC capitalized on. Knutson, already on the board from his punt return, would add his second touchdown of the day on the ground scoring from 11-yards out to give the Bearcats a 19-0 nothing lead.  

Despite an early punch in the mouth, Win-E-Mac did find a response. Star running back Jayden Haugen, couldn’t be kept out of the endzone forever. He came into the game with over 1,700 rushing yards and made his presence felt late in the first quarter and early in the second. He put Win-E-Mac on the board, cashing in from 29-yards out. Following the Patriots first score it was the defense’s turn for a response. Despite giving up some yards they made a stand at their own 25. A few penalties by KCC later, the Patriots had the ball back and it didn’t take long for Haugen to house on, this time from 59 to pull the patriots within 7. However, at this point, the momentum switched again. This time for good. Knutson added his third touchdown of the half from 29-yards out to get KCC’s lead back to two scores late in the second. Then with under 30 seconds left in the half, Camden Gullickson intercepted Nathaniel Spry to flip the script and give the Bearcats a chance to score before the end of the half. Although a Muir touchdown at the buzzer was called back for a block in the back penalty, Eli Peterson connected with James Cerkowniak on an untimed down to put the KCC 31-12 at the half. 

The second half was all KCC, and it started with another explosive play on special teams. The opening kickoff went in the direction of Muir. Deflecting off of his hand, it rolled to the five yard, where it picked it up and proceeded to return it 95 yards for the touchdown. Up 37-12, the Bearcats controlled the rest of the game. The Win-E-Mac offense never got going. After going out with a injury late in the second quarter, Haugen only played two snaps in the second half. Meanwhile the KCC defense would go on to force two more fumbles to help keep the Patriots off the board. Eli Peterson added his third passing touchdown of the day, while backups running back Karsynn Peterson carried the ball well to set up a Mason Ogorek touchdown to wrap up the scoring. 

In all the phases, the Bearcats were the better team Saturday. From causing turnovers on defense, to explosive plays on special teams and execution on offense, KCC earned their spot in the section championship game next week. For Win-E-Mac, unfortunately their struggles against the Bearcats in the postseason continue and finish the season with a record of 7-3, but will return a multitude of players especially at the line of scrimmage. KCC, now with a perfect 10-0 record will face Goodrige/Grygla in the Section-8 9-man Championship game next Thursday at the Fargo Dome. Kickoff is set for 4:30 pm.