UPDATED, WITH PHOTOS: Grand Forks Central tops Devils Lake to reach playoffs for first time since 2007
Oct. 22—DEVILS LAKE — Jake Schauer had a goal when he took over the Grand Forks Central football program earlier this year.
He wanted Central to reach the North Dakota Class A football in his first season with the Knights.
Mission accomplished.
Central qualified reached postseason play for the first time since 2007 on Friday night with a 49-28 win against Devils Lake as the regular season came to an end.
Central will be the No. 7 seed in the state Class A playoffs that begin next Friday. The North Dakota High School Athletic Association released the pairings Saturday. The Knights will travel to No. 2 seed Jamestown. The teams met in September, with Jamestown taking a 42-26 win. Jamestown is the defending state Class A champion.
"We're excited," said Schauer after the win. "Our kids earned every bit of this. This was the goal from Day 1."
The Knights got off to a quick start, scoring on their first possession.
Dylan LaMont threw for five touchdowns. Jack Simmers hauled in two TD passes as the Knights closed the regular season at 4-5.
Central enters postseason play winning three of its past four games. One of those wins came against No. 1-ranked Valley City. The Knights beat the Hi-Liners 24-21 in two overtimes.
"Things are coming along nicely," said Schauer. "We talked to our kids about cutting down mistakes and that's what they've done. We don't know who we're going to play yet but we're going to give someone a good game. I really like our guys right now."
