Region kings

G/M finishes unbeaten 9-Man – Region 2 season with win over Richland -

Erik Gjovik | Oct 14, 2024

Courtney Urness count

Members of the Griggs/Midkota Titans celebrate their Region 2 championship following their 51-0 victory over the Richland Colts. The shirts the players are wearing are sponsored by Bank Forward and Bravera Bank. Front row: Isaac Stadler, Kodi East, Tristen Zaun, Levi Kautzman, Caleb Moser, Carson Urness, Kindle Carlson, Lane Ressler, Cole Vincent and Dalton Boll. Second row: Wyatt Hoyt, Kade Halvorson, Jace Boote, Hayden Schudar, Rori Kautzman, Brady Haugen, Colten Walker, Max Ludwig, Dominic Ressler, Trace Spickler, Hunter Singletary, Lakin Ronningen and Kameron Tafelmeyer. Back row (wearing hats): Coach Zach Siewert, Coach Brad Dewald, Coach Brock Urness, Coach Carson Rieniets and Head Coach Ryan Dockter.

Courtney Urness count

Lakin Ronningen gives a thumbs-up to his Titan teammates' performance.

The end of two different droughts were celebrated in consecutive weeks for Griggs/Midkota.

First of all, the Titans will officially make their return to the North Dakota football playoffs after an 18-year absence.

This week, G/M cinched their first outright regional championship since the 2001 season – and first as a co-op – with a 51-0 win over the Richland Colts Friday night, October 4.

Even though they would have had the Region 2 crown anyway by virtue of their head-to-head wins over Enderlin and Maple River earlier this season, the Titans wanted to leave no doubt about their dominance of league play in 2024.

“There were a few hiccups, as we got off to a slow start, but we found our way back to playing good ball and started marching down the field,” G/M Coach Ryan Dockter said.

The Titans did largely what they wanted on the ground, gashing the Colt defense to the tune of 391 yards. Kindle Carlson had nine carries for 133 yards and a touchdown, and Levi Kautzman scored twice with an eight rush, 65-yard night.

Dockter’s highlight of the night was Wyatt Hoyt’s first touchdown of the year, coming on a 16-yard reception from Brady Haugen in the second quarter.

“It’s fun to watch a player that has been in the trenches on the line all season long get an opportunity for his moment in the lights, and he didn’t disappoint,” he said.

Three other players scored in the game for G/M, including Haugen, Lakin Ronningen (nine-yard pass from Trace Spickler), and Cole Vincent (12 carries, 57 yards) continued his big year with another score.

And the defense kept the Colts (0-7, 0-3 Region 2) off the board, which was a focus for Dockter’s team this week.

“We felt a bit disappointed against Enderlin as our younger guys gave up a few scores late in the game, but this week, our defense played all four quarters,” the coach noted.

A special surprise awaited after the game, as the team was presented with commemorative Region 2 Champion t-shirts, sponsored by Bank Forward and Bravera Bank of Cooperstown.

“It was a great moment for our guys. They didn’t know it was coming,” Dockter said. “The excitement from our community as been a lot of fun, as it’s been a long time since people have really talked about football in this area.”

Griggs/Midkota’s regular season came to an end this past Friday with a non-region game against Tri-State in Cooperstown.

“They bring an offense that likes to throw the ball around, so our secondary will be tested,” Dockter said.

As a regional champion, the Titans will have a first round bye in the 24-team playoff bracket, and will find out their overall seeding (1 through 8) and possible second round opponent pairings following play this week.

Nine-Man - Region 2 Football

Griggs/Midkota 51, Richland 0

G/M 16 16 13 6 51

Richland 0 0 0 0 0

First Quarter

G/M: Levi Kautzman 4 yard run (Kindle Carlson run)

G/M: Carlson 39 yard run (Cole Vincent run)

Second Quarter

G/M: Wyatt Hoyt 16 yard pass from Brady Haugen (Vincent run)

G/M: L. Kautzman 4 yard run (Vincent run)

Third Quarter

G/M: Haugen 21 yard run (Isaac Stadler kick)