By Bob Bakken
MaxPreps.com
It will be an all-Sioux Falls state final in Class 11-AA football next Saturday night, as Sioux Falls Lincoln upset top-ranked Brandon Valley and Sioux Falls Washington stopped cross-town rival O’Gorman’s attempt at another state title.
Lincoln defeated Brandon Valley 21-13 to earn the Patriots’ first trip to the DakotaDome, while Washington defeated O’Gorman 21-14.
Lincoln reaches the finals after beating two-time defending state champion Sioux Falls Roosevelt in the quarterfinals and the top-ranked and unbeaten Lynx in the semis. Lincoln was aided by a pair of touchdown runs from Anthony Muilenberg, one of 13 and another of 30 yards.
Patriots’ coach Aaron Beavers told the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader newspaper after the game that his team deserves to be in the finals.
"We absolutely deserve to play for the state championship," Patriot head coach Aaron Beavers told the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader. "This is no fluke, or whatever else some of our critics might say. We're a very good football team that beat some very good football teams to get here."
Meanwhile, Washington used a late touchdown to punch its ticket to the DakotaDome, as sophomore Matt Hermanson scored the game-winning points on a five-yard run with just under six minutes remaining in the game. The Warriors return to the state finals for the second straight year, hoping to win this time after losing to Roosevelt last fall.
Football: 11-A Finals Pit Winner Against Dell Rapids
Winner handled St. Thomas More 49-17 in Saturday’s semifinals to earn its trip to the Class 11-A championship game this coming week, while Dell Rapids stopped Harrisburg 12-7 in the other semifinal contest.
It’s the second state finals trip for Dell Rapids in the past three years, who took advantage of three Harrisburg turnovers to claim the victory.
Kevin Berg scored both touchdowns for the Quarriers (9-2), who won for the fourth straight time and beat Harrisburg for the second time in two weeks.
Winner also defeated its semifinal opponent for the second time this season, the first win against St. Thomas More coming back in September. The victorious Warriors will be making their 10th state finals appearance, but first in the last decade. Winner has won three previous 11-A state championships.
Braeden Gardner ran for 210 of Winner’s 488 rushing yards in the victory, scoring three touchdowns.
Football: Groton Area, Tri-Valley Reach 11-B Finals
The two remaining teams in Class 11-B football are Groton Area and Tri-Valley. The DakotaDome in Vermillion will host the finals participants on Friday in a rematch of last year’s final won by Tri-Valley, 20-14.
Groton defeated Bennett County 27-22 in its semifinal game on Saturday, ending a previously unbeaten season for Bennett County. The Tigers head to their second straight state finals appearance.
Sam Thorson ran for 258 yards and four touchdowns for the Tigers, including a 69-yard draw play with 3:13 remaining that gave his team a 27-16 lead.
Tri-Valley (10-1) ousted top-ranked Platte-Geddes/Dakota Christian 18-0 in its semifinal victory, setting the tone for the game with an 81-yard touchdown drive in the Mustangs’ first possession. Nate Kirby scored a 40-yard touchdown run and the Mustangs also got touchdowns from Austin King and Jake Lidel.
Football: Nine-Man Semifinal Recap
In 9-A, Gettysburg plays in the finals, thanks to a 44-8 semifinal victory over Arlington. Jared Schrempp carried the ball 20 times for 339 yards and three touchdowns. The Battlers’ defense held Arlington to 102 total yards for the game.
Gettysburg’s opponent will be Avon, who nailed Sully Buttes 49-14 in the other 9-A semifinal game on Saturday. The victorious Pirates scored on their first seven possessions of the contest and will bring a 10-1 record into the championship game. Earv Archambeau carried the ball for 147 yards and two touchdowns on nine attempts. He did not play the entire second half.
In Class 9-B, Hanson makes its first state championship appearance since 2005 after Saturday’s 50-0 win over Harried. They must wait to find out who they will play, as the western South Dakota snowstorm last weekend postponed the semifinal game between Harding County and Hitchcock-Tulare to Monday at Tulare.
The 9-AA finalists are Ipswich and Marion-Hurley. Ipswich defeated Chester Area 22-8, while Marion-Hurley advances with a 56-14 victory over Lyman.
