The #4 Spearfish Spartans (5-2) will host the #3 Pierre Governors (4-3) Friday night at Lyle Hare Stadium in a high-stakes Class AA showdown that could shape the playoff landscape. Kickoff is set for October 17, with both teams looking to solidify their postseason credentials.
Spearfish returns home after a 56-6 beatdown of the Douglas Patriots, a game where the Spartans scored 56 unanswered points until the last play of the game. Meanwhile, the Governors just finished up a dominant 44-0 performance vs the Sturgis Scoopers. Pierre kept the Scooper offense to 96 total yards.
This marks the latest chapter in a lopsided series dominated by Pierre, who holds a 9-1 advantage since 2006. The Governors have outscored Spearfish by an average of 49.1 to 16.3 in that span, including a staggering 103-0 playoff win in 2019. Spearfish’s lone victory came nearly two decades ago, a 28-25 triumph on September 29, 2006. Pierre has won nine straight, including two decisive victories last season: 35-15 in the regular season and 40-20 in the playoffs.
Despite the history, Spearfish enters with momentum and a perfect 4-0 home record under second-year head coach Tom Tieszen. The Spartans have feasted on teams with losing records but are 0-2 against winning programs. Their offense, led by junior quarterback Thomas Hughes, averages 300 yards per game and 27 points. Hughes is the engine, throwing for 755 yards and 10 touchdowns while also leading the team in rushing with 539 yards and seven scores. Running back Mick Bosh returned from injury last week with a career-best 112-yard performance.
Spearfish’s receiving corps features a balanced trio: Kade Vavruska (373 yards, 4 TDs), Karsen Seyer (203 yards, 4 TDs), and Jack Couaette (166 yards, 3 TDs). The offensive line, anchored by tackles Asher Peil and Sam Marcus, faces a stiff test against Pierre’s aggressive front.
Defensively, the Spartans allow just 13.6 points per game. Linebackers Laythen Lucas (41 tackles) and Brock Lewis (37 tackles) lead a unit that has recorded nine interceptions, including five by Hughes. Couaette has been a disruptive force with three sacks, two forced fumbles, and two picks, one returned for a touchdown.
Pierre, under 10th-year head coach Steve Steele, has faced a tougher schedule, with five of seven opponents owning winning records. The Governors are 2-3 in those matchups and just 1-3 on the road. Still, Steele insists, “We are just a few plays away from being undefeated.”
Senior quarterback Kaleb Lounsburry has thrown for 1,519 yards and 15 touchdowns, targeting standout receiver Carter Schiefelbein, who leads the class with 784 yards and eight scores. Running back Carter Merrill has eclipsed 100 yards in every game, while tight end Cooper Terwillinger — a Division I recruit — anchors the run game.
Pierre’s defense allows 16.6 points per game and boasts 30 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. Safety Porter Hunsley leads with 53 tackles and four interceptions, while fellow safety Sutton Sonenschein calls the defense. Defensive end Max Schmitz has been dominant up front with 45 tackles, nine TFLs, and five sacks.
Both teams will look to control the line of scrimmage, dominate time of possession, and minimize mistakes. For Spearfish, snapping a nine-game skid against Pierre would mark a program-defining win. For the Governors, it’s a chance to reaffirm their dominance and climb the rankings ahead of the postseason.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. MDT.
