PIERRE, S.D. – The Pierre Governors wasted no time in scoring to open up their Class 11AA Quarterfinal against Sturgis by taking the opening kickoff 85 yards for a score.
Jayden Wiebe used up :13 seconds on the clock to run the kick back into the end zone to give the Governors an early 7-0 lead.
After Sturgis went three and out on their first drive, Pierre quickly scored again – needing just two plays and 42 yards as Brecken Krueger took a 31 yard pass from Lincoln Kienholz to the end zone to make it 14-0.
Pierre’s defense then stepped up again, scoring an interception to end a Sturgis drive that had gotten into Governor territory. Pierre then took the Scooper mistake and scored again – making it 21-0 on a 10-yard touchdown catch by Jack Merkwan.
In the second quarter, the Scoopers defense came up big as Jake Vliem stepped in front of a Kienholz pass to give Sturgis the ball deep in Governor territory. Two plays later, Gunner Rohloff took it into the end-zone from four yards out to make it 21-7.
But Pierre answered back on a 32 yard touchdown catch by Jett Zabel to make it 28-7.
The Governors would score two more times before halftime, as Cade Kaiser made it 35-7 on a 13 yard touchdown catch and Kineholz would score on a 9 yard run to make it 42-7.
Pierre replaced most of their starters in the second half and the only score was a 19-yard touchdown catch by Jake Vliem with 8:44 remaining in the third quarter.
Pierre Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz finished with four passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown as Pierre advances to the Class 11AA semifinal, where they will take on the Yankton Bucks.
The Scoopers were hurt by three turnovers – all interceptions. Tyan Buus also finished the night with no catches. as Sturgis wraps up the 2022 football season.
