BROOKINGS, SD – The Sturgis Scoopers were blanked by the Brookings Bobcats, 31-0 in the fall football season opener for both squads at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium on Friday night.
Brookings scored on their first two possessions to lead 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. The Bobcats were forced to punt after their first possession of the second quarter, but the ball bounced off a Scooper and Brookings recovered the ball at the Sturgis 20-yard line. Three plays later, Drew Johnson spilt the uprights with a 40-yd field goal to give the Bobcats a 17-0 lead with 9:27 before the half.
Brookings added an interception return for a touchdown by Charlie Bisgard with 1:06 left in the second quarter to take a 24-0 lead into intermission. Sturgis committed five turnovers in the first half, three interceptions and two fumbles.Â
The Bobcats chewed up the clock in the second half by keeping the ball on the ground and out of the hands of the Scooper offense. Brookings tacked on one more score with 10:35 left in the game on a 5-yd touchdown run by Will Conrad. The kick was good and Brookings led 31-0, which was the final score.Â
Brookings (1-0) finished with 186 yards of total offense, 68 yards on the ground and 118 through the air. Conrad led the Bobcats with 48 yards rushing and two TDs. Brookings had four penalties for 35 yards and no turnovers.Â
Sturgis (0-1) could only manage 95 yards of total offense for the game, 42 rushing and 53 passing. The Scoopers had six turnovers, three fumbles and three interceptions, and four penalties for 35 yards.Â
Sturgis hosts the Douglas Patriots next Friday night at Woodle Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 6pm.Â
