One of North Dakota's top college prospects has powered North Prairie to a 3-0 start in 9-man football

Tom Miller, Grand Forks Herald
·2 min read

Sep. 8—ROLETTE, N.D. — North Prairie quarterback Nicholas Mears loves to call a quarterback sneak.

The center snapping Mears the ball is Nate Tastad, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound junior who already has a college football scholarship offer from North Dakota State and has visits planned to UND, Minnesota and Kansas State.

"There's nothing better than calling a quarterback sneak and having 8 yards to run right behind him," Mears said.

Tastad, Mears and running back Blake Mattson lead a North Prairie team that's off to a 3-0 start and now ranked No. 5 in the latest North Dakota 9-man state poll.

"It's awesome to play with him," Mears said. "He's a great leader."

In a 48-22 win over North Border last Friday, Tastad helped clear the way for North Prairie, a co-op between Rolla and Rolette, to have two big rushing performances.

Mears, a 6-2, 190-pound second-year starter, ran 18 times for 177 yards and five touchdowns, while Mattson had 19 carries for 149 yards and a score.

Through three games, Mears has 50 carries for 522 yards and 11 touchdowns. Mattson has 49 carries for 468 yards and two scores.

A year ago, Mears missed two games and Tastad missed three games with injuries. North Prairie coach Joshua Keller said those injuries forced a number of players to step up into new roles. That experience is paying off for the Cougars this year.

Wide receiver and defensive back Mitchell Leas is another weapon for the Cougars, who play Benson County this Friday.

"I think we have some of the best weapons in all of 9-man," Tastad said. "We have a great quarterback and running back. When our wide receivers are given opportunities to make plays, they've done that, too."

The Cougars were 6-4 last season, losing to Bottineau in the second round of the state playoffs. North Prairie has had a winning season 10 of the last 11 years including a state runner-up showing in 2015.

"North Prairie has a strong football tradition going back to when it was just Rolla and Rolette to have competitive teams," Keller said. "As far as expectations, we talk every day about kids should be asking questions about what they can do to help our team win on Friday. I don't look too far ahead."