Sports Spotlight on KFYR-TV North Dakota's NBC News Leader

Carr/Sorensen

Scott Westerberg

9/23/2009

After just missing the AA championship game the last four years, the Hazen football team will try its luck in a new division because enrollment numbers put it in Class A.

Even though the Bison are playing some unfamiliar opponents as a member of Region Four, they do have two very important pieces to a championship puzzle who returned from last season.

There was plenty of reason for the Hazen football to be excited about this season. The Bison have most of their line back from last year`s semifinal team as well as returning All-staters at both quarterback and running back in Brent Sorensen and Baylee Carr.

"They`re just so fast and explosive," says Rick Philion, the head coach at Hazen. "They`re two kids that can break a big play at anytime. They`ve very smart. They`ve played since they were sophomores. They know their lineman. The lineman have been blocking great for them. They know exactly where to cut off those linemen."

And the scary part for opposing defenses is knowing if you stop one, you still have to worry about the other.

"It helps a lot obviously," says Carr. "If the defense keys on him it opens it up for me and vice-versa for both of us."

"It`s great," says Sorensen. "If I had to do it all myself it would be a terrible thing for me, so having Baylee with me is just awesome."

And the rest of the Bison offense has to be ready to block well past the line of scrimmage with both Carr and Sorensen capable of breaking a long touchdown on any play.

"We have a lot of speed, quickness," says Sorensen. "Our lineman are great this year. They block amazing. The wide receivers downfield, everyone keeps blocking downfield."

But besides being important to Hazen`s offense, the two also start on a defense that`s shut out three of their first four opponents.

"We base our game around our defense," says Carr. "That`s kind of our strong point, and we take a lot of pride in not letting opponents score on us."

So while picking up all-state honors again would be a nice way to end their senior season, both Carr and Sorensen say the ultimate goal is taking a state title back to Hazen.

Carr and Sorensen will be part of one of the premiere games in the state this Friday.

Third-ranked Hazen is hosting number one Watford City.

The Bison and the Wolves are both undefeated.

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