FARGO — The New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock Rockets are the kings of 9-man football in North Dakota.

They brought home their second straight state title at the Dakota Bowl on Friday, Nov. 14. But this one means a lot more.

As the Rockets launched onto the field at the Fargodome, one of them was missing.

“We knew there was a bigger mission now, bigger person to play for, a bigger goal, made us even hungrier,” Rockets quarterback Easton Simon said.

Tucker Faul, No. 57, a 17-year-old from Maddock, was killed in a car crash six days before the playoff run started. Faul had also just been named homecoming king.

“The worst nightmare you can have,” Rockets head coach Elliot Belquist said.

Faul was not part of 2024’s championship team. In fact, he had not played football since middle school. T

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