Kari Gibb/MDN Minot North senior Carter Coleman (7) and junior Evan Berg (8) tackle Devils Lake junior running back Bryar Exner (24) for a loss in the first quarter of play on Friday at Sentinels Stadium in NDHSAA quarterfinal playoffs.

The Minot North Sentinels have set more ‘firsts’ in their ‘first’ year of varsity play. The team hosted their first ever quarterfinal game and battled through first half physical play to a 6-0 lead before halftime and then built on that lead for the 35-20 win that puts Minot North into their ‘first’ NDHSAA state semifinal game.

The game started with both teams showcasing physical play and the defense for each side made statements early. With just minutes left in the second quarter, both teams lit the scoreboard for a 21-7 halftime score that favored the home team Sentinels.

Each team scored twice more in the fourth quarter for the final and the chance for Minot North to move on in the playoffs.

The second seeded West Fargo Horace will travel to Minot on Friday, November 8, at the Sentinels Stadium to play for a chance to advance to the state title game.

E2 WF Horace 14, W3 Jamestown 0

In a defensive battle, West Fargo Horace held a 7-0 lead until the fourth quarter when they scored the second touchdown of the game over visiting Jamestown for the win.

Horace will travel to Minot to face the Sentinels in the semifinals for Class AA.

E1 GF Red River 41, W4 St Mary’s 13

The top ranked Class AA team in the state had little issue with the fourth seed from the west as Grand Forks Red River was up 41-6 within the first few minutes of the third quarter and coasted to the win.

St. Mary’s scored their second touchdown with roughly 4 minutes left in the game.

The Rough Riders will host the upset minded Wahpeton in the semifinals on Friday, November 8, in Grand Forks.

E3 Wahpeton 48, W2 Valley City 30

Wahpeton, the three seed from the east, traveled to Valley CIty- the second seed to the west- and the two posted a pair of scores each through one and a third quarters. The visitors jumped into action and scored twice in five minutes during the second quarter for the 28-14 lead and added another six points for the 34-14 halftime mark.

Roughly halfway though the third quarter, Wahpeton added another score for the 41-14 lead and Valley City came to life. Both teams scored in the fourth period, only Wahpeton had too many points for the home team to overcome.

Wahpeton will travel to GF Red RIver in the semifinal game at Grand Forks.