DEADWOOD, S.D. — The Lead-Deadwood Golddiggers earned a long-awaited breakthrough Saturday, rolling past Stanley County 50-0 in the annual Prospector Bowl at Ferguson Field.
The victory was Lead-Deadwood’s first win of the season, its first as a member of Class 9AA, and the program’s first football victory since Sept. 20, 2024, when the Golddiggers, then a Class 11B program, defeated Belle Fourche 15-6.
Lead-Deadwood also recorded its first shutout victory since a 52-0 win over Bennett County in 2021.
The Golddiggers built a 16-0 halftime lead behind two rushing touchdowns from Zade Seaman and a safety recorded by Seaman and Garrett Rantapaa. Lead-Deadwood then erupted in the second half, scoring 34 more points to end the game early via the mercy rule.
Special teams played a major role in the rout. Reed Simek blocked a Stanley County punt that was recovered in the end zone by Levi Hall for a touchdown, while Blake Janssen added a 40-yard touchdown run and converted all seven extra-point attempts.
Lead-Deadwood’s defense was dominant throughout, keeping Stanley County off the scoreboard and capping the shutout when Blaze Artz returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Seaman scored twice on the ground, while Enzo Stone connected with Rantapaa for a touchdown through the air as the Golddiggers improved to 1-2 on the season.
After opening the year with two losses, Lead-Deadwood heads into next week’s road game against Kadoka Area with momentum following its most complete performance of the season.
