CARRINGTON (NewsDakota)- The Carrington football team knew that it needed to win its’ final two games of the regular season in order to make the playoffs. But on Friday night it was Rugby who celebrated.
Levi Wentz threw for 170 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers clinched their first playoff berth in seven years with a 34-7 win over Carrington on Friday night at Cardinal Stadium.
Rugby (6-2, 4-2 Region 2A) started fast, with Alec Bohl’s 58 yard run leading to Zach Selensky’s four yard burst for a 6-0 lead on the opening possession. But the Cards (2-6, 2-4 Region 2A) responded immediately and after an 18 yard completion to Ewan Aberle, Gabe Clifton raced 32 yards for a score and Carrington led 7-6. The Panthers retook the lead in the second with Wentz finding Hudson Hager for a 44 yard score to make it 12-7, but Carrington’s defense ended the half with a goal-line stop on fourth down at the three.
The momentum was short-lived, as the Cardinal offense, led by Isaiah Oatis after a left foot injury took out starter Parker Bickett, as the Cards mustered only 31 yards after halftime, while Wentz scored twice on the ground and found Brody Berndt for a touchdown pass. Rugby will clinch the 3-seed with a win over Turtle Mountain next week.
Carrington will conclude the 2026 season at Thompson on Friday with coverage on KDAK The Cardinal beginning at 4pm.
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