SD State Championship 9AA & 9B

The opening game of the seven-class South Dakota High School State Football Tournament was the Class 9AA Platte-Geddes Black Panthers vs. Hamlin Chargers. Both teams had their fair share of muscle, but Platte-Geddes had too much for Hamlin as the Black Panthers would score early and often en route to a State Title. Here’s the scoring recap here: 1st Quarter: PG- Grayson Hanson 6 yard pass to Jackson Neuman, 2-point No Good, 6-0 PG. 2nd Quarter: PG- Kelby Vanderweff 31 yard pass to Jackson Olson, 2-point Good, 14-0 PG. HAM- Xander Sheehan 50 yard pass to Cameron Thue, 2-point No Good, 14-6 PG. PG- Grayson Hanson 1 yard rush, 2-point No Good, 20-6 PG. 3rd Quarter: PG- Jackson Olson 22 yard FG, 23-6 PG. 4th Quarter: PG- Kelby Vanderweff 50 yard pass to Grayson Hanson, 2-point No Good, 29-6 PG. PG- Grayson Hanson 15 yard rush, PAT Good, 36-6 PG. PG- Aiden Bultje 31 yard rush, PAT No Good, 42-6 PG. HAM- Luke Fraser 6 yard rush, 2-point No Good, 42-12 PG. Players Highlighted from Platte-Geddes: QB/DE- Kebly Vanderweff was throwing some good balls for his receivers to make plays, RB/LB- Grayson Hanson was the go to guy for big plays, played many positions, QB, RB, and WR. He could throw or run for it behind center, wasn’t afraid of contact and fought for every yard. DE- Caden Foxley did a good job slowing a good running team from big plays and scoring. Good tackler and played his position well. Players Highlighted from Hamlin: RB/DB- Jackson Noem played hard the whole game, ran hard into two or three defenders every play and took what he could. Hard runner and good in space with his speed, hard to bring down with one guy. QB/DB- Xander Sheehan made a lot of big plays with his arm giving his team life. FB/DL- Cameron Thue was a good playmaker for the team, picking up some well-earned yards on the ground and being a good target out of the backfield. The 9B game would be played by the Wolsey-Wessington Warbirds and the Dell Rapids St. Mary’s Cardinals. The Warbirds came out early with speed and power to score early, the Cardinals gained a little momentum in the second half with speed and misdirection. The Warbirds would gain the momentum back, and never look back. Here’s the Scoring Recap: 1st Quarter: WW- Eric Klanchnik 14 yard rush, 2-point No Good, 6-0 WW. WW- Eric Klanchnik 10 yard rush, 2-point No Good, 12-0 WW. 2nd Quarter: WW- Corbin Haarmeyer One yard rush, 2-point No Good, 18-0 WW. 3rd Quarter: DRSM- Connor Libis Connor Libis 5'9" | 160 lbs | ATH Dell Rapids-St. Mary's | 2021 State 45 yard pass to Nic Gasper, 2-point Good, 18-8 WW. 4th Quarter: WW- Corbin Haarmeyer 30 yard pass to Carson Zomer, 2-point Good, 26-8 WW. DRSM- Connor Libis Connor Libis 5'9" | 160 lbs | ATH Dell Rapids-St. Mary's | 2021 State 45 yard pass to Sam Palmer, 2-point No Good, 26-14 WW. WW- Marty Gohn One yard rush, 2-point No Good, 32-14 WW. Players Highlighted from Wolsey-Wessington: RB/DB- Eric Klanchnik ran through defenders and could also outrun them as well, can score from anywhere on the field. WR/DB- Carson Zomer was a good target to throw at, but was really good after the catch making moves for extra yards. QB/DB- Corbin Haarmeyer made some nice throws giving his receivers chances to make plays after the catch. Good ball placement and quick decisions. Players Highlighted from Dell Rapids St. Mary’s: QB/DB- Connor Libis Connor Libis 5'9" | 160 lbs | ATH Dell Rapids-St. Mary's | 2021 State was the playmaker in this game, running or throwing. Any spark that was needed seemed to come through him, he is shifty and fast to keep the offense moving. WR/LB- Sam Palmer was a good target with good size, goes up and gets the jump ball and usually comes down with it. WR/LB- Nic Gaspar was also a good target, but also had some good runs mixed in as well gaining tough yards against a good defense.