It was business as usual for Brandon Valley’s Austin Sumner on Tuesday night as he methodically completed 17 of 31 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns during a 34-13 first-round Class AA playoff victory over Mitchell.
However, it wasn’t exactly routine, because along the way the 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior quarterback established a new South Dakota state record with 83 career touchdown passes. He entered the game with 79, which tied the record set by Nathan Jacobson of St. Thomas More from 2005-07.
"He has just been so consistent for three years," Brandon Valley head coach Chad Garrow said. "When it’s all said and done, he’s going to be really tough to replace.
“He’s a prolific pocket-type passer. He’s big, like (Ben) Roethlisberger. He’s pretty hard to bring down. He has a pretty strong arm and can make all the throws. He has improved his speed this year and has around 500 yards rushing.”
Garrow noted that there was no pressure on Sumner leading into his record-breaking night.
“There probably weren’t a lot of people who even knew about the record," Garrow said. "Most people don’t know what the state records are.”
Because the 9-1 Lynx will be playing in the AA quarterfinals next week, there was no celebrating on Tuesday night.
“We’ll celebrate after the year (is over),” Garrow said.
If Sumner is productive in a potential three more games, can he set the record so high that it will not be surpassed?
“With more people going to spread offenses, you don’t ever know," Garrow said.
