1 week Ago By Abby Sharpe
GRAND FORKS — Kashton Keja Jr. broke his kneecap playing basketball for Four Winds/Minnewaukan two years ago. Last year, Four Winds’ quarterback wasn’t playing like himself as he returned from that injury.
ADVERTISEMENT That changed this year, though. The senior led Four Winds to a 5-2 record this season and a 9-man football playoff spot. The Indians host Cavalier at 1 p.
m. Saturday, Oct. 19 — the first playoff game Four Winds has ever played at home.
“Last football season ...
he was just hesitant on everything,” said Four Winds coach Travis Mertens, who leads the program alongside Mark Bishop. “He's just been great for us. It's very validating to see him because of the work he put in the offseason to get back to where he was his sophomore year.
” Keja leads Four Winds in touchdowns with 14 and averages 119.1 rushing yards per game. On defense, Keja leads the team with 8.
3 tackles per game. He’s thrown for 616 yards and has 10 touchdowns to two interceptions this season. One of his favorite targets is Marial Deng, the younger brother of UND wide receiver Deng Deng.
Marial Deng, a junior, has nine receiving touchdowns and averages 55.1 receiving yards per game. ADVERTISEMENT Deng, like his quarterback, is coming back from an injury.
He tore his ACL during basketball season and missed all of last football season. “Every game, he's looked better and better,” Mertens said. “I've always said this, from when I was coaching him from seventh, eighth grade .
.. I feel like he's always had better hands than Deng.
It's just that Deng has always been the more explosive, stronger athlete. But Marial, if he has another good offseason, he's going to take that next leap again. “He's going to do great things on the basketball court, but he's another kid that could play at the next level in football, as well.
” Deng Deng played a big role in getting Four Winds football to this level. He’s also a big reason why the program has been successful this season, despite Deng being in Grand Forks now. “That group that graduated last year showed everybody what it takes, and just how difficult it is,” Mertens said.
“They paved the way. These guys had to go against those guys. You had to compete every day in practice, otherwise you're going to get embarrassed.
That type of competition during practice translated to (games).” Mertens said he feels his defense has taken a step forward this year. Freshman Judah Young leads with eight sacks, and Tyler Black and Wakinyanho Greybear each have five.
ADVERTISEMENT Deng also has four interceptions on the year. Junior Richard Cavanaugh has three. Mertens also believes Four Winds has its best line since he started as head coach 10 years ago.
“That unit has really helped us be able to run the ball,” he said, “which opens up everything outside for us. Having an athlete like Marial, you want to be able to get opportunities to make plays just because he is explosive.” Four Winds didn’t play Cavalier during the regular season, but the two teams scrimmaged before the year.
Mertens and Cavalier coach Brady Laxdal were college roommates, so a scrimmage was planned this year in Cavalier. This time, the game means something for Four Winds, which is preparing for its third playoff appearance in school history. “They're one of those traditional powerhouses,” Mertens said.
“Every year, it seems like they're in the playoffs. They're competing for state championships. The tradition is definitely there with them.
They're always good. You have to show up and play and be ready for a 48-minute slugfest. ADVERTISEMENT “I’m expecting a tight one.
Turnovers are going to kill you. It’s going to take a big play from somebody, probably, to win this game.” The winner will play No.
5 North Border in the second round of the 9-man playoffs..
