Packers fall to Bismarck Legacy in ND 3A football championship

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FARGO — Bismarck Legacy quarterback Weston Kraft was a one-man band Friday night.

It appeared he was having a career night after his third rushing touchdown, then he added two more for insurance.

Kraft’s five touchdowns propelled the West Region No. 2 Sabers to a 41-21 victory over East Region No. 2 West Fargo in the North Dakota Division 3A football state championship on Friday at the Fargodome.

Friday’s championship marked the Sabers’ first state crown since they began competing in 2014.

"It's been a long time coming," said Legacy head coach Chris Clements. "I'm very happy with our kids and for our coaches. We put a lot of time into it and it paid off."

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Kraft had rushing TDs of 2, 1, 26, 9 and 19 yards. He scored four in the first half to power a 27-7 halftime lead. His fifth score made it 33-14 with 3 minutes, 58 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

"He wants the ball in his hands," Clements said of Kraft. "We want the ball in his hands and he showed why tonight."

Packers defensive back Peyton Berg had a 95-yard pick-six on the drive before Kraft’s fifth. West Fargo running back Ashton Wigestrand had a 7-yard touchdown run to make 33-21 with 9:30 to play in the fourth quarter.

"That's just kind of the epitome of our season," said first-year West Fargo head coach Eric Peterson. "There's so many times that we could have rolled over and just called it quits. But we have senior leadership that never would have t our guys just let it go."

Sabers running back Bridger Bloms had a 24-yard scoring burst with 7:22 remaining in the fourth quarter to make it a 20-point game. Legacy intercepted a pass on the next drive.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

West Fargo’s magical run to the Dakota Bowl came to a close. It was only solidified after the Packers student section echoed “Thank you, seniors.”

Receiver Cruz Mahar had a 30-yard TD reception in the first half. The Packers finished the season 8-4 overall.

"We were a team that didn't have much for expectations," Peterson said. "We continued to rise our level. We competed and our seniors led our team."

West Fargo graduates key seniors including quarterback Ryan Camarillo, receivers Wyatt Knudsen and Joaquin Valdez, and Wigestrand among others.

"We lose a ton, but we bring back quite a few playmakers," Peterson said. "We bring back quite a few guys that we're excited for. ... We have up-and-coming guys that we're looking forward to seeing what they can do."

Legacy isn't quite as hurt by graduation and returns key players like Kraft and Bloms.

"People don't realize that we're a young team ... we're pretty excited about our future," Clements said.

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After graduating from North Dakota State University, Haugland joined the Forum in January of 2023. Readers can reach him at 701-241-5508 or by emailing [email protected] Twitter Listen to this article Conversation What To Read Next Prep Park Christian's comeback falls just shy in state football quarterfinals 11m ago By Rob Beer Prep Fergus Falls football defeats Grand Rapids, advances to state semifinals 11m ago By Eli Trese / Fergus Falls Daily Journal Prep Sioux City jumps on Force for 6-3 victory 43m ago By Staff reports Get Local Must Reads Men's Sports Pearl Harbor tour hit home for Bison linebacker Haugo 2h ago By Jeff Kolpack Fargo Embattled recovery and reentry nonprofit F5 Project looks ahead after turbulent year 9h ago By Tasha Carvell Local Teen bicyclist airlifted after being struck by pickup in Osage Township 12h ago By Staff reports Fargo Fargo man arrested for DUI after car crashes onto gas pump 6h ago By Hunter Schwartz