Packers prove naysayers wrong on road to Dakota Bowl

Chris Flynn / Forum file photo By Andrew Haugland Today at 11:28 AM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? WEST FARGO — West Fargo wide receiver Joaquin Valdez was surfing Instagram one day ahead of the season and saw a post from an account that predicted the final records of each team. “We’re going to be a 3-6 team and we’re going to be out in the first round of the playoffs,” the senior remembered reading. ADVERTISEMENT For the Packers, there were a few unknowns ahead of the season. The team graduated its leading rusher, leading receiver and 4 of the team’s 5 leading tacklers after the 2025 season. In addition, Eric Peterson was hired as the head coach of the Packers in April; his first job in a lead role. Whether or not the preseason narrative surrounding West Fargo was warranted or not matters little these days. The Packers are still playing in the second week of November. “We’ve made a statement that we’re here to stay,” Valdez said. Chris Flynn / Forum file photo East Region No. 2 West Fargo (8-3) battles West Region No. 2 Bismarck Legacy in the North Dakota Division 3A Dakota Bowl state championship at 6:40 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at the Fargodome. “We just have a bunch of good all-around athletes,” said senior wide receiver Wyatt Knudsen. “Everyone can make plays.” The Packers advanced to the Dakota Bowl for the first time since 2021 and eighth time overall. West Fargo last won a state championship in 2017 for their sixth title in program history. ADVERTISEMENT After starting the season with two losses on the road, West Fargo found its footing with a pair of home victories over Minot High School and Bismarck Century. “That was the turning point,” Valdez said. Perhaps the biggest pivotal point of the Packers season came in a Week 5 victory over Fargo Shanley, where Knudsen stuffed a Shanley two-point try to cap a 48-47 victory. “That was a grinding game,” Knudsen said. “I knew since we could finish (that game), we could finish anything.” DAKOTA BOWL SCHEDULE Friday, Nov. 14, at the Fargodome Division A : No. 4 Langdon Area-Munich vs. No. 2 Harvey-Wells County, 9:10 a.m. 9-Man : No. 1 New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock vs. No. 2 LaMoure-Litcvhille-Marion, 20 minutes after A Division 2A : East No. 1 Kindred vs. East No. 2 Central Cass, 20 minutes after 9-man Division 3A : East No. 2 West Fargo vs. West No. 2 Bismarck Legacy, 6:40 p.m. The feeling was mutual. “The ability to come out on top of that really showed our guys that this could be a special season,” Peterson added. In his first season at the helm, Peterson, who spent eight seasons as an assistant at Fargo Davies, had to endure a little bit of a learning curve. He noted a supportive assistant corps and receptive players has lessened his workload. ADVERTISEMENT “It just makes my life a lot easier,” Peterson said. Alyssa Goelzer / Forum file photo A quick glance up-and-down the Packers stat sheet and one can easily spot the playmakers. Senior quarterback Ryan Camarillo has passed for over 2,000 yards with 20 touchdowns, while adding 15 TDs on the ground. Senior running back Ashton Wigestrand has over 1,000 rushing yards and 11 TDs. Knudsen, at 6-foot-5, is a two-way standout. He has team-high 813 receiving yards and 10 TDs on 45 catches, while adding 78 tackles defensively with a team-high four sacks and 15 tackles-for-loss. Beyond the statsheet, Peterson said junior wide receiver Paxton Schneck has been among the team’s unsung heroes. Schneck, who has 184 receiving yards and a TD on 11 catches, shines the brightest when the spotlight isn’t on him. “He’s blocking on the edge (and) setting up our big explosive players,” Peterson said. “He’s a guy that you need on your team as a glue guy.” Another group that doesn’t always get their flowers in West Fargo’s playoff run is the offensive line. Led by former North Dakota State and NFL lineman Nash Jensen, the group has only allowed nine sacks in 11 games. ADVERTISEMENT “They all stepped up and excelled in their roles,” Peterson said. The Sabers and Packers met earlier this season. Legacy (9-2) won the Week 2 contest 46-19. David Samson / Forum file photo In the weeks since that loss in September, the Packers have morphed into a different team. “It’s basically night and day,” Knudsen said. “We’re more cohesive as a unit. Our offense has found our identity. Our defense has found our identity.” What is priority No.1 come Friday? “Efficiency,” Valdez said. “Getting out there, being more physical than the other people across from us and just playing with your brothers. Playing with heart.” Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags PREP SPORTS NDHSAA FOOTBALL WEST FARGO PACKERS By Andrew Haugland After graduating from North Dakota State University, Haugland joined the Forum in January of 2023. 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