PIERRE, S.D. — Top-ranked Pierre wasted no time taking control Friday night, scoring on its first three offensive plays and forcing three turnovers on the way to a 65-0 victory over Spearfish at Hollister Field.
The Governors improved to 7-0 with the dominating Eastern South Dakota Conference win, while the Spartans fell to 4-3.
After Spearfish opened the game with a three-and-out, a mishandled punt snap gave Pierre excellent field position. Quarterback Jerren Deal connected with Carter Schiefelbein for a 21-yard touchdown on the next play to give the Governors an early lead.
The Spartans’ next possession ended with an interception by Sutton Sonnenshein, and Deal immediately made them pay, finding Schiefelbein for an 82-yard touchdown pass to put Pierre ahead 14-0.
Pierre continued to pour on the pressure. The Governors blocked Spearfish’s next punt for a safety, then struck again offensively when Deal connected with Schiefelbein on a 42-yard touchdown pass. Schiefelbein finished with three receptions for 144 yards and three touchdowns, while also setting the Pierre career receiving yards record.
Spearfish found some success on the ground behind Graham Hughes and Thomas Hughes, but penalties and key defensive stops by Pierre prevented the Spartans from generating points.
The Governors built a commanding halftime advantage with touchdown runs by Thomas Snyder and Deal, along with another Deal touchdown pass to Hudson Stoeser, taking a 51-0 lead into the break.
With the running clock in effect during the second half, Pierre added two more touchdowns while keeping Spearfish off the scoreboard.
Deal was nearly flawless through the air, completing 9 of 10 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns. Backup quarterback Brecken Fuhrman completed all five of his pass attempts for 137 yards and one touchdown. Deal also led Pierre’s rushing attack with 44 yards and a touchdown on two carries.
Pierre outgained Spearfish 566-232 in total offense.
For the Spartans, Graham Hughes rushed for 115 yards on 23 carries, while Thomas Hughes added 81 yards on 14 carries. Through the air, Hughes completed 4 of 14 passes for 50 yards and 2 interceptions. Payton Jones led Spearfish receivers with one catch for 34 yards, and Brody McCann added a 15-yard reception.
Pierre will travel to Brookings next week to face the Bobcats. Spearfish returns home Friday for Senior Day, where the Spartans will host Aberdeen Central on KDSJ 980 AM, 103.5 FM, and streaming on KDSJ-TV on YouTube and on KDSJ’s Facebook Live.
Replay: https://www.youtube.com/live/8-6HgxgPkGA?si=UmLyEVOqHFCyuqZV
