RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Belle Fourche Broncs opened the 2026 football season against one of the state’s premier programs and fell to defending Class 11B champion St. Thomas More, 51-8, on Friday night at Cavalier Field.
St. Thomas More wasted little time asserting itself, building a 43-0 halftime lead behind a dominant rushing attack and a defense that consistently put the Cavaliers in favorable field position.
The Cavaliers scored touchdowns on the ground from Zander Zandstra, Joseph Giacometto, Quan Harper and quarterback Noah Wald during the first half. Wald also contributed through the air with a touchdown pass to Harper and added a defensive score with a pick-six.
St. Thomas More’s offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the night, helping the Cavaliers continue the high-scoring pace that carried them to the 2025 state championship.
Belle Fourche struggled to generate consistent offense against a Cavaliers defense that has allowed just 14 total points through its first two games. The Broncs were also pressured throughout the night, including a sack by St. Thomas More lineman Rush Turner that halted one Belle Fourche drive.
The Broncs avoided the shutout with a late touchdown, accounting for the final 51-8 margin.
The game marked the season opener for Belle Fourche, which entered the year with a new co-op arrangement that includes athletes from Newell. Despite the lopsided result, the Broncs gained valuable experience against one of the top-ranked teams in South Dakota.
St. Thomas More improved to 2-0 with the victory and has now won six straight home games dating back to last season.
Belle Fourche opens the year at 0-1 and faces another difficult challenge Friday when the Broncs travel to face second-ranked Dell Rapids in their first Class 11A game of the season.
