Cavalier Off 4-1 Start Behind Running Back Micah Dutch's Big Season

The North Dakota 9-man Tornadoes are averaging 53.6 points per game as Dutch returns to full strength after a knee injury.

Cavalier High School's football team is off to a 4-1 start, its best since the 2022 season that ended in the 9-man state championship game. The Tornadoes are putting up 53.6 points per game behind running back Micah Dutch, who has run for roughly 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns through five games.

Dutch's junior season came after a long recovery. He tore his ACL two games into his sophomore year and did not return until the second game of his junior season. The 5-foot-9 back said he attended college camps over the summer and worked regularly on knee stability to get back to full speed.

Head coach Brady Laxdal said Dutch's health has been a difference-maker and praised his study habits, noting Dutch regularly asks for film on his own. In last Friday's 62-12 win over North Star, Dutch rushed for three touchdowns and more than 200 yards.

Cavalier's only loss came in the season opener on Aug. 21, a 50-34 defeat to New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock, the two-time defending 9-man champions. The Tornadoes have won every game since, with seniors Jack Gunderson and Aiden Werner and sophomore Carson Stauffenecker each scoring multiple touchdowns as additional playmakers.

Cavalier travels to Four Winds this Friday to face another 4-1 team.