RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Stevens Raiders took advantage of two Scooper turnovers and used a balanced offense to beat Sturgis 38-21 on Friday night at the Rushmore Bowl at O’Harra Stadium.
The Scoopers came into the Rushmore Bowl looking for their first win of the 2021 season.
Sturgis received the opening kickoff, starting their first possession on their own 23-yard line. Konner Berndt broke off a 25-yard run on his first carry, moving the ball to the 48 before the Stevens defense stiffened, forcing a Scooper punt. The Raiders were called for roughing the kicker as two defenders crashed into Scooper punter Dominik Smith, moving the ball 15-yards downfield and the Sturgis offensive drive resumed at the Stevens 37-yard line. Berndt fumbled on the next play and the Raiders took over on their own 43.
Stevens got on the scoreboard first on their next series with a 44-yard touchdown pass from Jed Jenson to Easton Ogle. Parker Messmer’s extra point was good and the Raiders led 7-0.
The Scoopers scored on their next drive following a nine play, 75-yard drive culminating in a 13-yard touchdown run by Konner Berndt. Dominik Smith converted the extra point and Sturgis tied up the game at seven apiece.
Stevens answered with their own six play, 65-yard drive as Jenson scampered 29-yards through the Scooper defense to pay dirt with just :55 seconds left in the quarter. The kick was good and the Raiders led Sturgis 14-7.
The Stevens offense found its groove in the second quarter, with an 18-yard scoring pass from Jenson to Ogle early in the stanza, followed by a two yard plunge by Julian Scott a few minutes later as the Raiders extended their lead to 28-7.
But Sturgis didn’t fold. Scooper quarterback Owen Cass and the Sturgis offense took over on their own 24 and methodically moved the ball down the field 76 yards in 12 plays and had the ball at the Stevens two yard line. Cass and the Scooper offense showed poise and didn’t panic with the clock ticking down to halftime. Cass took the snap on fourth and goal with :09 seconds left, following his line into the end zone for a Scooper score. Smith’s kick was good and Stevens led 28-14 at the half.
The Raiders opened up the second half with a Messmer 30-yard field goal, giving Stevens a 31-14 lead early in the third quarter. Both teams traded possessions before Sturgis took over deep in their own territory at the 21-yard line.
Four plays later, Cass found Hunter Harrison in space down the middle of the field and Harrison did the rest, sprinting 66-yards to a Scooper touchdown with 1:36 left in the third quarter. Smith converted the extra point and Sturgis cut into the Stevens lead, 31-21.
The Scoopers had good field position on their next two possessions into the fourth quarter due to several Raider penalties and short punts but Sturgis couldn’t find the end zone. Stevens running back Uriah Glynn carved up the Scooper defense midway through the fourth, running in a 26-yard touchdown with 8:26 left in the game. The extra point was good and the Raiders led 38-21.
The Scooper offense moved the ball consistently on their final drive of the game but couldn’t get the ball across the goal line, turning over the ball on downs. Stevens ran out the clock and held on for a 38-21 win.
The Scoopers (0-5) finished the night with 287 yards of total offense. Cass was 15 of 29 passing for 220-yards and one touchdown. Sturgis was led by Berndt on the ground, who carried the ball 17 times for 67 yards. Harrison caught three balls for 122 yards and one touchdown. The Scoopers had two turnovers, one fumble and one interception and were penalized nine times for 90 yards.
The Rapid City Stevens Raiders (2-3) had 355 yards of offense and were led by Jenson, who completed 10 passes on 17 attempts for 173 yards and one score. Stevens ran the ball 27 times and gained 182 yards on the ground, led by Glynn with 155 yards. Ogle had two receptions, both for scores of 44 and 18 yards. The Raiders had 17 penalties for 185 yards and no turnovers.
The Scoopers are in action next on Oct. 1 as they host Belle Fourche for their Homecoming game at Woodle Field. Kickoff is slated for 6pm.
