By Tom Mix
NDHSAA Media Specialist
FARGO – West Fargo Sheyenne kept its postseason run in full gear at Dakota Bowl XXXII and ultimately emerged with the program’s second NDHSAA Division AAA football state championship.
The Mustangs defeated Eastern Dakota Conference-rival Fargo Davies 24-14 in the Division AAA football state title game during Dakota Bowl XXXII on Friday, November 15 at the FARGODOME.
Leading the way for West Fargo Sheyenne was junior running back Kye Schlicting who scored two of the Mustang’s three touchdowns and finished the game with 95 yards rushing. Senior quarterback Kaden Olson added 176 yards passing and a touchdown for the Mustangs.
Fargo Davies jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to a 15-yard touchdown run by senior running back Malachi Werremeyer.
Later in the first quarter, Schlicting scored on a 44-yard run, but Sheyenne’s extra-point attempt failed. In the second quarter, Schlicting would get another big scoring run – this time a 38 yard score and the ensuing two-point run was successful giving the Mustangs a 14-7 lead.
A 21-yard field goal by West Fargo Sheyenne’s Michael Gullicks later in the second quarter closed out the first half scoring and the Mustangs would enter the locker room up 17-7 despite losing the services of their All-State, University of Nebraska-signee lineman Kade Pietrzak, who left the game with an injury and would not return.
Olson connected with Sullivan Ihry for a 78-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and following a extra-point kick by Gullicks, the Mustangs held a 23-7 lead and wouldn’t look back.
West Fargo Sheyenne finished the season 10-2. Davies ended the 2024 campaign 10-2 with both its losses coming against the Mustangs including a 3-0 loss in the regular season meeting on October 17.
BOX SCORE: WEST FARGO SHEYENNE 24, FARGO DAVIES 14
2024 NDHSAA DIVISION AAA FOOTBALL STATE PLAYOFFS BRACKET
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