KSFY News - Sioux Falls, SD News, Weather, SportsGridiron Blitz #3

Every now and then on the gridiron, a game for the ages unveils itself. When it does, it captivates our attention and becomes the fodder for weeks, if not months, of discussion.

Last Friday, we witnessed several games that captured everyone's attention. 9B #1 Avon edged 9A #2 Hansen, 32-28, in a verdict that wasn't decided until the final seconds. In that game, we watched the trickery of coach Tom Culver give his team the edge early in the fourth quarter. Then, we saw two teams battle down the stretch to see what successful program would emerge. For Avon, beating Hanson was important, especially after having lost in last season's 9A semifinals, 46-30. Two years ago, coach Jim Haskamp's Hanson team also edged Culver and his Pirates, 20-16 in the state title game. While this game probably means little except for current bragging rights, it is a big win just two weeks into the season.

A few hours later at that same FCA So Dak Bowl, we watched 9A #1 Canistota win its 14^th straight game with a 34-26 verdict over 9AA #1 Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan. It too was a battle to the finish. The Hawks beat the Seahawks but not without some sweaty palms and anxious moments down the stretch. Now, the Hawks have an open date and before they face yet another challenge when they meet #2 Hansen in Alexandria on Sept. 16.  

Moving to 11AA, the President's Bowl was advertised as a big show. Believe me; it lived up to its billing. When Saturday was over, two upsets left a lot of players, coaches and fans out of breath but wanting more. In game one, #4 Sioux Falls Roosevelt controlled action for three quarters building a 19-7 lead. However any observer of this rivalry knows about O'Gorman's great charges, some a bit on the unbelievable side. Once again, they rolled down the field in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 19-14 on Sam Steffl's TD. Then in the closing moments, the Knights were once again deep in Rough Rider territory. A missed pass and some resiliency by the Rough Riders defense helped Roosevelt pick up an important 19-14 win.

Finally, the second game of the President's Bowl will no doubt live on as a classic. It was indeed one for the ages. The Lincoln-Washington game will be one of those games that years from now will still be talked about. Lincoln utilized its passing offense to rally for a 37-36 win when Alex Schultz connected with Josh Kunzman on the game's final play to tie it and then Adam Belhaj added the extra point with no time left to end Washington's 27-game winning streak. It was a back and forth game in which Washington led 14-13 at halftime, trailed 22-14 in the third quarter and led 36-22 with about nine minutes to play. Lincoln, led by the coolness of Schultz, rallied. In the decisive final two minutes, Lincoln head coach Aaron Beavers called a timely timeout just before one of its players jumped offsides, which would have given the Warriors a new set of downs and their 28^th victory, and Schultz and Kunzman pulled off their passing and receiving heroics.

Before we close the book on that game, we need to provide a few notes about the Warriors' great run that included 27 straight wins and two consecutive state titles. During that streak, they were 8-0 vs. Sioux Falls schools, including a 315-81 scoring advantage. Against Lincoln, they owned a 159-33 points edge. They outscored O'Gorman, 103-35 (three games) and Roosevelt, 53-13 (two games). Overall, Washington outscored opponents, 1,183 to 177 or a 43.81 to 6.5 points advantage. During the run, the Warriors had 10 shutouts while scoring 40 or more points 16 times and breaking 50 on eight occasions. Marvelous Washington.

This week the action continues with #1 Lincoln and #2 Roosevelt facing on Friday night before #3 Washington and #4 O'Gorman lock horns in the Dakota Bowl on Saturday at Howard Wood Stadium.

This week's blog includes much more, including a lot of highlights from others games.

Finally, how about a note on something rarely. It isn't often you see a 94-yard TD run but when it happens twice in one night, when that is worth mention. Last Friday, two quarterbacks, Bailley Friesz of Mobridge and Nick Mears of Milbank both had rushes (yes not throws) of 94 yards for TDs.

Highlights Around South Dakota

11AA

KSFY-KWSN Rankings: 1. Sioux Falls Lincoln (2-0) 2. Sioux Falls Roosevelt (2-0) 3. Sioux Falls Washington (1-1) 4. Sioux Falls O'Gorman (1-1) 5. Mitchell (2-0)

Our weekly 11AA rankings had a major shift, mostly as a result of action at the President's Bowl. Sioux Falls Lincoln moved to #1 after knocking off previously top-ranked Washington, 37-36, in a classic. #4 SF Roosevelt held off previously #2 O'Gorman and moved to #2 in Our rankings. As a result of those two upsets, the two teams in last year's AA finals, Washington and O'Gorman, sit at #3 and #4. Mitchell won again to stay at #5. However, we urge fans to pay attention to Yankton (2-0), who are looking very sharp early.  

The Lincoln win, which ranks as one of the classics in 11AA football, went down to the final play and the state's ninth longest win streak came to an end. From this perspective, the win was especially noteworthy in that Washington had outscored Lincoln,159-33, over the previous three matchups between the schools. The Warriors last loss? A 27-20 setback in the 2008 state championship game to Lincoln. For Washington, junior quarterback Jon Hander had 3 TDs and 159 yards passing. Nate Gerry added 103 yards receiving with 2 TDs. Standout running back Devonte Clay finished with 139 yards rushing and a TD plus an 87-yard KO return for another score

Sioux Falls Roosevelt (2-0) moved up to #2 in the rankings with its 19-14 win. They were led by quarterback Scott Tyler, who completed 14 of 23 passes for 131 yards and had a 22-yard TD to Josh Angulo. Mikal Smith led the Rough Riders with 88 yards rushing. O'Gorman (1-1) now ranked #4 received 119 yards rushing from Sam Steffl,who has 303 total rushing yards this season. Connor Schaefbauer completed 9-of-15 passes for 175 yards and a TD.  

Mitchell (2-0), paced by Jason Greenway's 244 yards rushing and two TDs,  defeated Brookings, 44-20. Greenway had TD runs of 52 and 84 yards. The Kernels rolled up 449 yards in total offense, including 339 on the ground. In his first two games, Greenway has 374 yards and four TDs. Matt Thomas led Brookings with 95 yards receiving, including a 44-yard TD catch.

Yankton improved to 2-0 with a 26-0 win over Huron as Michael Rucker threw for a school-record 315 yards passing and three TDs. The former Yankton passing record was 312 yards and held by Paul Kanago in 1976, according to the Yankton Press and Dakotan. Three receivers (Connor Fitzsimmons, 97 yards, TD; Evan Schroeder, 92 yards, TD; Jackson Pasco, 92 yards, TD – 80 yards) all had more than 90 yards receiving.

Pierre (1-1) defeated Aberdeen Central (0-2), 13-12, as Jared Neilan scored on a five-yard TD run with under two minutes to play. Neilan had 118 yards and two TDs. 

Chase Marso threw for four TDs to lead Brandon Valley past Watertown, 35-13. He had TD throws of 29, 20, 20 and 37. Matt Vandeberg scored two TDs, a 20-yard reception and a 23-yard run as the Lynx had 273 yards in total offense.

Rapid City Stevens (1-1) rebounded from a loss and rolled over Sturgis (0-2), 56-0. The Raiders scored on their opening six possessions for a 42-0 lead. They were led by Tanner Engle, who scored four TDs, rushed for 184 yards, had two rushing scores, a passing TD and a punt return for six. Quarterback Brock Atkinson had two rushing scores and Stevens generated 430 yards on 53 carries.  Sturgis had just 13 yards in total offense.

11A

KSFY-KWSN Rankings: 1. Dell Rapids (1-0) 2. Harrisburg (2-0) 3. West Central (2-0) 4. Milbank (1-0) 5. Dakota Valley (2-0)

This class remained unchanged as all five ranked teams won handily. Dell Rapids (1-0) opened the season with a 40-6 win over Canton (0-2). Cole Langer had 78 rushing yards, including TD runs of 29 and 10 yards to key the win. Zach Barber had a 58-yard TD run and totaled 71 yards on just four carries. Next up for the top-ranked Quarriers will be a home date with #3 West Central on Friday evening.

#2 Harrisburg (2-0), led by quarterback Andrew McCuen, rolled to a 28-13 victory over Minnesota's 11AA #6 Luverne (0-1). The Tigers peppered Luverne with a passing game that look nearly unstoppable. McCuen completed 12-of-13 passes for 302 yards and four TDs in one of the top performances of the night. Trevor DeSchepper was his primary target, catching four passes for 184 yards and three TDs to lead Brandon White's unbeaten Tigers. Harrisburg, which has outscored two opponents, 67-13, received 80 yards rushing from Thomas Hudson.  

#3 West Central (2-0), received 147 yards rushing and four total TDs from Devon Blaine as they recorded a 40-7 win over Madison (0-2). The Trojans, who have a 81-7 scoring advantage in two wins, also received 158 yards and three TD passes from quarterback Connor Miles, who hit Blaine twice for TDs.

Led by one of the state's top prep quarterbacks, Nick Mears, #4 Milbank (1-0) opened in grand style with a 49-7 decision over 11B Redfield/Doland (0-1). Mears had three TDs passing, and three TDs rushing for combined 6 TDs. He had 185 yards rushing and a 94-yard TD run. He also threw for 161 yards.

#5 Dakota Valley (2-0) defeated 11B Beresford, 39-3 as quarterback Brock Bergmann had two TD passes and a 12-yard TD run. Dakota Valley has now outscored two opponents, 80-9, in its two wins.  

Tea Area (2-0) rolled past Lennox (0-1), 45-0, behind the play of Cooper Hansen, who had two rushing TDs, an interception for a TD and kicked a pair of field goals. Tea Area, who owns an 82-9 scoring edge over two opponents, led 31-0 at halftime.   

11B

KSFY-KWSN Rankings: 1Tri Valley (2-0) 2. Winner (2-0) 3. St. Thomas More (1-1) 4. Flandreau (2-0) 5. Groton (2-0)

The 11B rankings were blown up this week as #1 St. Thomas More lost to #3 Winner, 12-0. Winner, which has outscored opponents 56-0 in two shutouts to open the season, had 291 yards rushing, including 105 from Kyle Bertram. Quarterback Nathan Naasz had 70 yards rushing and two TDs, one a 42-yard jaunt in the second half. The Warriors held St. Thomas More's quarterback Jake Sullivan to 119 yards passing and the Cavaliers to zero rushing yards.

The new #1 Tri-Valley (2-0), rolled past Garretson (1-1) with a strong rushing game that generated 400 yards. Tri-Valley, #2 a week ago, has now outscored its two opponents by a 91-13 margin. Logan Koopman scored three TDs, including a 47-yard TD scamper. Kyle Erickson added 12 carries for 63 yards for Tri-Valley, which had carries by nine players.   

Aberdeen Roncalli (1-1) defeated previously #4 Mobridge, 30-23, by scoring on a gadget play with less than two minutes to play. Roncalli was led by Matt Swallow, who had 115 yards rushing and 68 receiving, including both a TD run and pass. Mobridge/Pollock lost standout quarterback Bailley Friesz to injury midway through first half. To that point, Friesz had 126 yards rushing and a 94-yard TD as well as 136 yards passing and a TD.

Defending champion Flandreau moved to 2-0 by knocking off previously #5 McCook Central/Montrose, 10-7. Flandreau, which has outscored two opponents, 49-13, had 152 yards rushing and no yards passing, and limited MCM to 149 yards rushing. Carter Ziebach and Dakota Peterson had 11 tackles while Jacob Patterson, Joe Parsley and Kyle Scofield had 10. Parsley's four-yard run at the start of the fourth quarter gave the Fliers the edge in the big win.

Groton (2-0) moved into the top five on the strength of a 20-18 win over Sisseton (0-1). The Tigers scored with 31 seconds to play to win its second straight. Eric May had 118 yards receiving and 56 yard TD reception for Groton.  Casey Goodhart, who rushed for 137 yards, had a 40-yard TD run and Justin Kalb put Sisseton in front on a 46-yard pass interception return with 8:17 left in the game.

Wagner (1-0) received 156 yards rushing and a TD from Derek Dickerson in a 21-0 shutout of Parkston (0-2).

Elk Point/Jefferson (1-1) rolled to a 31-14 over Sioux Falls Christian (0-2) as Brock Zeller and wide receiver Blake Donnelly made for a devastating pitch and catch tandem. In the middle game of the FCA So Dak Bowl, Zeller completed 22-of-35 passes for a school record 390 yards with three TDs. Donnelly had eight receptions for 224 yards receiving and 2 TDs. It was Zellar's third career start as quarterback and for good measure, he also had a 27-yard interception return for a TD. SF Christian led 14-7 earlier before EPJ took off. SFC had a 78-yard TD run by Branden Pfaff.
 
9AA

KSFY-KWSN Rankings: 1. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan (1-1) 2. Clark/Willow Lake (1-0) 3. Gettysburg/Hoven (1-0) 4. Elkton/Lake Benton (1-0) 5. Leola/Frederick (1-0)

9AA was another class that saw change, but not at the top. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan (1-1) fell to 9A #1 Canistota (2-0), 34-26, in the FCA So Dak Bowl in Sioux Falls but stilled retained the top billing as 9AA's best. Seth Wethor of BEE had his third return TD of the season when he returned the second half kickoff 84 yards for a score.

#2 Clark/Willow Lake opened the season with a 36-9 win over 9B Grant-Duel (1-0).  Garrett Schmidt had 150 yards rushing and TD runs of 8, 13, and 50 yards. He also caught a 20-yard TD pass. Clark/Willow Lake had 42 unanswered points after Grant-Deuel had the first TD of the game.

Despite a 24-12 win over 9B Faulkton, Gettysburg/Hoven (1-0) fell to #3. The Battlers were led by quarterback Tate Nafziger, who had 154 yards passing and 2 TDs. He also rushed for 43 yard and a pair of TDs.   

Elkton Lake/Benton rolled past Oldham-Ramona/Rutland (0-1), 49-0, as quarterback Brant Tingle had a combined four TDs (2 pass, 2 run). E/LB led 42-0 at half.

Howard, ranked #4 last week after losing week one, fell out of the rankings.

Leola-Frederick (1-0) moved into the rankings at #5 with a 52-0 win over Ipswich/Edmunds Central (0-2). Leola/Frederick, which had 244 yards rushing, held Ipswich/Edmunds Central to negative total yardage.

Andes Central (1-0) defeated Tripp/Delmont/Armour (0-2), 48-12, and generated 440 total yards, including 284 rushing.

Deubrook Area (1-0), rolled to a 24-8 win over Dell Rapids St. Mary (0-1).  Trevor Peterson keyed the win with 185 yards passing and 3 TDS (5, 75, 25) while also contributing a 75-yard TD run.

In a matchup of two teams that moved to 11-man to 9-man this season, Miller (1-0) defeated Stanley County (0-1), 38-12.

Parker (2-0) defeated Centerville, 36-16, as Blake Reynolds had 171 yards rushing and 3 TDs (1, 15, 86). Reynolds has scored five TDs and rushed for 321 yards this season.

White River (1-1), scored the third most points ever in 9-man football in its 82-44 victory over Lyman (0-1). White River was led by Wyatt Krogman with  347 yards total offense, including 236 yards rushing. Nic Wahn had 110 yards rushing and 52 receiving. Lyman standouts Charles LaRoche had 162 yards rushing and Jalen Uthe added 142 yards.

Kimball/White Lake (1-1), recorded a 38-26 win over Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central (0-2) as Jacob Kirsch had 136 yards rushing and 2 TDs. For W-WS-SC, Trevor Kenobbie supplied 139 yards rushing and scored rushing TDs of 69 and 52 yards.

9A

KSFY-KWSN Rankings: 1. Canistota (2-0) 2. Hanson (1-1) 3. Corsica/Stickney (1-0) 4. Eureka/Bowdle (1-0) 5. Mt. Vernon (2-0)

Canistota (2-0), W, defeated 9AA #1 Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan (1-1), 34-26. This season, Canistota has defeated two 9AA schools, including the #1 BEE Seahawks and previously #2 Howard, 48-0. Quarterback Cody Bunger had 232 yards in total offense to lead the Hawks.

#2 Hanson (1-1) dropped a 32-28 decision to 9B #1 Avon (2-0), 32-28, in a game that went to the wire. Hanson was led by Reid Smith with 109 yards rushing, including a 56-yard TD. Jordan Craig had 2 TDs, including runs of one and 55 yards. Smith now has 307 yards rushing and 3 TDs rushing this season.

#3 Corsica/Stickney (1-0) defeated 9B Menno (2-0), 42-12 as Mason Can Murren had a 79-yard kickoff return to open the game. Jaguars quarterback Adam Borman threw for two TDs.

Eureka/Bowdle (1-0), which had 241 yards rushing, moved from #5 to #4 after a 50-12 decision over McLaughlin (0-2). Adam Weizhaar of E/B had 104 yards, 3 rushing TDs and a 44-yard int. TD return. Zach Gellar also had an 81-yard kickoff return for a score.

Previously #4 Hamlin (0-1) lost to Waverly/South Shore (1-0), 40-14.

Mt. Vernon (2-0) jumped into the rankings at #5 with a 28-8 win over Chester Area (0-1). They were led by running back Kody Weiss, who had 144 yards rushing and two TDs. 

Irene/Wakonda (2-0), recorded its second straight shutout with a 48-0 win over Marion (0-2). Irene/Wakonda, which has outscored two opponents, 98-0, was led by Dustin Livingston who had five combined TDs and rushed for 127 yards. He had rush TDs of 62, 17 and 15 while throwing 2 TD passes.

South Central (2-0) picked up its second straight win with a 20-8 victory over Scotland (0-1). Turner Serr of South Central had 172 yards rushing and a TD.

Faith (1-0), which received 170 yards rushing from Cody Trainer, had a 44-20 victory over Dupree (0-2).

9B

KSFY-KWSN Rankings: 1. Avon (2-0) 2. Viborg/Hurley (2-0) 3. Castlewood (1-0) 4. Waverly/South Shore (1-0) 5. Sully Buttes (2-0)

#1 Avon (2-0) used a halfback TD pass from Jackson Powers to Luke Van Gerpen to defeat 9A #2 Hanson, 32-28. Nick Poppe had 58 yards rushing and 2 TDs (25, 9). Jackson Powers led the defense with 20 tackles and threw the game-winning halfback TD pass.

#2 Viborg/Hurley (2-0) had a second straight shutout with a 49-0 win over 9A Gayville/Volin (0-1). V/H has outscored opponents, 99-0, in two games.

#3 Castlewood (1-0), led by quarterback Carver Ching's six TD passes, defeated Lake Preston, 46-0. Ching completed 9-of-13 passes for 185 yards and threw TDs of 27, 2, 13, 45, 33, and 16 yards. Jordan Feyereisen added a TD reception for 33 yards and TD run of 1 yard.

#4 Waverly/South Shore (1-0), opened with a 40-14 win over 9A #4 Hamlin (0-1).

Led by Chek Giannonatti, Harding County (2-0), rolled to its second straight win with a 42-6 decision of Newell (0-1). Giannonatti had both 100 yards receiving and rushing and scored two TDs. He caught four passes for 112 yards including a long of 53 yards and had 13 carries for 135 yards. Harding County rolled up 580 yards in total offense, including 360 on the ground. Through two games, the Buffaloes are averaging 561 yards in total offense, including 377 per game on the ground. Giannonatti has been a force with eight receptions for 192 yards receiving and two TDs plus 21 carries for 263 yards rushing and a pair of scores.

#5 Sully Buttes (2-0) hammered Highmore-Harrold (1-1), 42-6, as speedster Herman Kleinsasser had 143 yards rushing and Jordan Lamb added 90. The Chargers have outscored opponents, 106-18 in its two wins.

Langford (2-0) had a 49-6 win over Northwestern (0-2) as Weston Hoglund rushed 104 yards and had three TDs. They have outscored opponents, 101-6, in two games.