Notable North Dakota HS graduates who have played/coached in an NFL League/Conference title game

Compiled by Tom Mix
NDHSAA Media Specialist

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – Below is an unofficial list of notable National Football League players and coaches who played high school football in North Dakota and later played or coached in a League or Conference Championship Game while in the NFL.

NOTABLE NORTH DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES & THEIR APPEARANCES AS A PLAYER OR COACH IN AN NFL LEAGUE/CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL GAME

Cordell Volson (2016 Drake HS graduate) - Offensive Guard
  • 2022 AFC Championship Game (w/ Cincinnati Bengals): January 29, 2023 vs. Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City).

* Carson Wentz (2011 Bismarck Century HS graduate) - Quarterback (Injured Reserve)
  • 2017 NFC Championship Game (w/ Philadelphia Eagles): January 21, 2018 vs. Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)

Summary: Wentz did not play due to season ending injury (torn ACL) in Week 14 of the 2017 NFL Season. The Eagles defeated the Vikings 38-7 and advanced to Super Bowl LII. 

Jim Kleinsasser (1995 Carrington HS graduate) - Tight End
  • 2000 NFC Championship Game (w/ Minnesota Vikings): January 14, 2001 vs. New York Giants at Giants Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)

Summary: Kleinsasser was not targeted during the game. The Giants defeated the Vikings 41-0.

  • 2009 NFC Championship Game (w/ Minnesota Vikings): January 24, 2010 vs. New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans)

Summary: Kleinsasser caught one pass for 12 yards. The Saints defeated the Vikings 31-28 in overtime. 

Phil Hansen (1986 Oakes HS graduate) - Defensive End
  • 1991 AFC Championship Game (w/ Buffalo Bills): January 12, 1992 vs. Denver Broncos at Rich Stadium (Orchard Park, NY)

Summary: The Bills defeated the Broncos 10-7 to advance to Super Bowl XXVI.

  • 1992 AFC Championship Game (w/ Buffalo Bills): January 17, 1993 vs. Miami Dolphins at Joe Robbie Stadium (Miami)

Summary: Hansen started the game at defensive end and intercepted a pass from Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino. Hansen also sacked Marino during the game. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 29-10 to advance to Super Bowl XXVII.

  • 1993 AFC Championship Game (w/ Buffalo Bills): January 23, 1994 vs. Kansas City Chiefs at Rich Stadium (Orchard Park, NY)

Summary: Hansen started the game at defensive end and sacked Chiefs backup quarterback Dave Krieg in the fourth quarter. Chiefs starting quarterback Joe Montana exited the game early in the third quarter following an injury via a three-way tackle at the hands of Hansen, Bruce Smith and Jeff Wright. The Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 30-13 to advance to Super Bowl XXVIII.

Doug Beaudoin (1972 Jamestown HS graduate) - Special Teams
  • 1981 AFC Championship Game (w/ San Diego Chargers): January 10, 1982 vs. Cincinnati Bengals at Riverfront Stadium (Cincinnati)

Summary: Beaudoin returned two kickoffs for 38 yards during the game. The Bengals defeated the Chargers 27-7. It was Beaudoin’s final game in the National Football League.

Dave Osborn (1961 Cando HS graduate) - Running Back
  • 1969 NFL Championship Game (w/ Minnesota Vikings): January 4, 1970 vs. Cleveland Browns at Metropolitan Stadium (Bloomington, MN)

Summary: Osborn started at running back for the Vikings and rushed for 108 yards on 18 carries including a 20-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. The Vikings defeated the Browns 27-7 and advanced to play in Super Bowl IV.

  • 1973 NFC Championship Game (w/ Minnesota Vikings): December 30, 1973 vs. Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium (Irving, TX)

Summary: Osborn rushed for 27 yards on four carries. The Vikings defeated the Cowboys 27-10 and advanced to Super Bowl VIII

  • 1974 NFC Championship Game (w/ Minnesota Vikings): December 29, 1974 vs. Los Angeles Rams at Metropolitan Stadium (Bloomington, MN)

Summary: Osborn rushed for 76 yards on 20 carries including a key 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Osborn also caught one pass in the game. The Vikings defeated the Rams 14-10 to advance to Super Bowl IX

Pete Retzlaff (1949 Ellendale HS graduate) - Tight End
  • 1960 NFL Championship Game (w/ Philadelphia Eagles): December 26, 1960 vs. Green Bay Packers at Franklin Field (Philadelphia)

Summary: Retzlaff caught one pass for 41 yards that set up a scoring drive for the Eagles. The Eagles defeated the Packers 17-13. The playoff loss was the only one Packers Hall of Fame head coach Vince Lombardi would take in his legendary career.  

Steve Myhra (1952 Wahpeton HS graduate) - Place Kicker
  • 1958 NFL Championship Game (w/ Baltimore Colts): December 28, 1958 vs. New York Giants at Yankee Stadium (Bronx, NY)

Summary: In what was dubbed “The Greatest Game Ever Played” Myhra kicked a game-tying 20-yard field goal with seven seconds left in regulation time to set up the first sudden death overtime period in NFL playoffs history. The Colts defeated the Giants 23-17 in overtime. Myhra also kicked two extra points in the game.

  • 1959 NFL Championship Game (w/ Baltimore Colts): December 27, 1959 vs. New York Giants at Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)

Summary: Myhra made four extra points in the game and also made a 25-yard field goal in the Colts’ second straight appearance in an NFL Championship Game. The Colts defeated the Giants 31-16.  

Ron Erhardt (1949 Mandan HS graduate) - Coach/Coordinator 
  • 1986 NFC Championship Game (w/ New York Giants): January 11, 1987 vs. Washington at Giants Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ) 

Summary: Erhardt serves as Giants’ offensive coordinator under Giants’ head coach Bill Parcells. The Giants defeated Washington 17-0 to advance to Super Bowl XXI

  • 1990 NFC Championship Game (w/ New York Giants): January 20, 1991 vs. San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park (San Francisco) 

Summary: Erhardt serves as Giants’ offensive coordinator under Giants’ head coach Bill Parcells. Erhardt is able to work around a key injury of Giants’ starting quarterback Phil Sims late in the 1990 season. Backup Phil Hostetler kept the Giants clicking just enough on offense and helped lead the squad throughout the postseason. The Giants defeated the 49ers 15-13 to advance to Super Bowl XXV.

  • 1994 AFC Championship Game (w/ Pittsburgh Steelers): January 15, 1995 vs. San Diego Chargers at Three Rivers Stadium (Pittsburgh) 

Summary: Erhardt serves as Steelers’ offensive coordinator under Steelers’ head coach Bill Cowher. The Chargers defeated the Steelers 17-13.

  • 1995 AFC Championship Game (w/ Pittsburgh Steelers): January 14, 1996 vs. Indianapolis Colts at Three Rivers Stadium (Pittsburgh) 

Summary: Erhardt serves as Steelers’ offensive coordinator under Steelers’ head coach Bill Cowher. The Steelers defeated the Colts 20-16 to advance to Super Bowl XXX.

* - Denotes Player was injured at time of league/conference championship game, but played during that season as a starter.

Follow NDHSAA on Twitter at @NDHSAA and visit www.ndhsaanow.com for the latest NDHSAA sports and activities news from around the state.