SPEARFISH, S.D. — The Spearfish Spartans built an early lead on homecoming night, but Yankton answered with a dominant stretch to hand the Spartans a 42-21 loss Friday at Lyle Hare Stadium.
Spearfish grabbed momentum in the second quarter after quarterback Thomas Hughes scored on a three-yard touchdown run and later connected with Karsen Seyer for a 27-yard touchdown pass. The successful two-point conversion gave the Spartans a 14-6 advantage with 8:13 remaining before halftime.
The momentum shifted quickly as Yankton quarterback Jackson Kudera led the Bucks on a dominant offensive run. Kudera threw five touchdown passes on the night, including three to receiver Miles Drotzmann, as Yankton scored 36 of the final 43 points to pull away.
The Bucks turned a 14-6 deficit into a 28-14 halftime lead with three straight touchdown drives and added two more scores in the second half.
Hughes accounted for all three Spearfish touchdowns, finishing with 165 passing yards, a touchdown pass, and 57 rushing yards with two scores. Graham Hughes added 72 rushing yards, while Seyer led the Spartans receiving corps with 64 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Brock Lewis paced Spearfish with 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.
The loss snapped Spearfish’s four-game winning streak and marked the Spartans’ 10th straight loss to Yankton. Both teams are now 4-2 on the season.
Spearfish will look to bounce back Friday when it travels to face top-ranked Pierre, which will be broadcast on KDSJ 980 AM, 103.5 FM, and streaming on KDSJ-TV on YouTube and on Facebook Live.
Replay: https://www.youtube.com/live/KUGEvvR5WIE?si=xR7C5ttLuzu_89tY
