Gregory Holds Off Warner in a Hard-Fought 9A Final

VERMILLION-- We check in from Thursday night's action from the South Dakota 9A state championship from the DakotaDome as we scoured thru our game recap between the Gregory Gorillas (11-1) and the Warner Monarchs (11-1). Check out who got it done!

FIRST QUARTER

After a 31-yard run by QB Rylan Peck (2024) the Gregory Gorillas finished off their first drive with a field goal however, Gregory kicker Eli Fogel Eli Fogel ATH Gregory | 2023 State (2023) was roughed on the play causing the Gorillas to get another shot at the end zone. Kade Stukel (2023) was their man to punch it in on the 2-yard rush. The Gorillas went for two and got it. Gregory 8, Warner 0

After future Lineman of the Game, Gunnar Stephens (2023) used his athleticism to get off a block and sack the Warner QB the Monarchs had to punt. After that, it was Rylan Peck (2024) that unleashed his burst for an 81-yard sprint to the end zone. The Gorillas had no issues getting their two-point conversions on Thursday night, getting another one on this well-oiled machine of a drive. Gregory 16, Warner 0. End of the 1st quarter

SECOND QUARTER

To end the first quarter going into the second quarter the Warner Monarchs offense was starting to get some momentum, getting back-to-back receptions on screens out of the backfield courtesy of Zach Wood (2023) as Zach showed some fluid burst in the open field for Monarchs.

However, Gregory's offense kept getting answers from QB Rylan Peck (2024) as he got his 2nd touchdown of the half putting the Gorillas up three scores yet again showing up a clutch 3/3 on their first-half two-point conversions. Gregory 24, Warner 0.

Here is a crazy stat: The Gregory Gorillas had 200 rushing yards (zero passing yards) with 6:10 to go in the first half, which is the definition of a well-oiled rushing attack, to say the least.

Warner did get some momentum brewing late in the 1st half. WR/S Logan Permann (2023) got a key interception for the Monarchs and then erupted on the offensive side of the ball. With the Monarchs with the ball QB Brodey Sauerwein (2023) found Logan Permann (2023) for a 55-yard reception to set the Monarchs up for success down to the 26-yard line.

The Monarchs then got in the endzone for the first time of the evening as QB Brodey Sauerwein (2023) found TE Ashton Schuchhardt (2023) who was one of my favorite Warner prospects on the evening (6'2 215) for a 26-yard receiving touchdown. Both teams were 4/4 on two-point conversions in the first half. Gregory 24, Warner 8. Halftime

THIRD QUARTER

Gregory was able to get another touchdown from RB Kade Stukel (2023) which put the Gorillas up now three scores. Gregory 30, Warner 8

I came away impressed by the growing arm talent of QB Brodey Sauerwein (2023) in the second half for the Warner Monarchs. He showed some growing potential with his precision throws on intermediate routes giving his WRs a good cushion to catch his ball on the run.

Later in the drive, the Warner Monarchs were able to get a 2-yard punch in from ATH Hunter Cramer (2023). Their 2-point conversion was very impressive, as TE Ashton Schuchhardt (2023) turned nothing into something by getting his hands around quickly on a high-traffic catch in the end zone getting the Monarchs now 2/2 from their two-point conversions. I was very impressed with Ashton in this game, and think he could be a sleeper playing on Saturdays next year. Gregory 30, Warner 16.

Warner kept fighting their tail off, and the play of one of my standouts from the Northern State prospect camp this summer in Warner DE Devin Woosley (2023) had a lot to do with it. Devin blocked a punt and created a very loud cheer of "WOOS" from the Warner fans after setting the Monarchs up with some excellent field position. It was then Hunter Cramer (2023) who got his second quick touchdown of the quarter. Warner controlled all the momentum to start the second half. Gregory 30, Warner 23. End of the 3rd quarter

FOURTH QUARTER

It was a "For the Brand" type of game in the punting department for Warner's Ashton Schuchhardt (2023) who hit two punts in the game for 59 and 45 and both punts from my eyes landed soundly in Gregory territory on the night.

However, despite Warner's great second-half effort, they could not stop the presence and elusive running ability of Gregory QB and Joe Robbie (MVP) and Back of the Game winner in Gregory QB Rylan Peck (2024) who got his third and last touchdown of the night for the Gorillas with just over 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Gregory 36, Warner 23

The Gregory Gorillas front men in the trenches played with sound ability including another prospect that should be playing on Saturdays in Eli Fogel Eli Fogel ATH Gregory | 2023 State (2023) who was instrumental in the Gorilla's defense in my eyes he also has a solid kicking leg as well. Gregory 36, Warner 23. Final

What is on deck from our South Dakota State Championship Coverage?

Starting tomorrow I will be putting together my All-State Tournament Teams from each division starting with 9B and ending with 11AAA. Stay tuned for who made mine and fellow PRZ Dakotas scout Jake Evans list for All-Tournament Teams! Jake will have you down for game recaps from 9A to 11AAA as well.