- STURGIS, S.D. – The Spearfish Spartan football team came into Sturgis for their annual rivalry game looking for their first win since 2018 after dropping their first three games of the 2021 season. The Scoopers were also winless and hoping to turn things around after losses to Watertown, Tea Area and Pierre. The Spartan offense started strong then looked to their defense to bring home the win, defeating the Scoopers 21-19 on Friday night.
Spearfish received the opening kickoff and started deep in their own territory, beginning their opening drive on the seven yard line. Junior quarterback Jaden Guthmiller, who finished fourth in the 100 meters in the state track meet last spring, used his arm instead of his legs to move the football 93-yards in 13 plays, culminating in a two-yard touchdown plunge by Guthmiller to get Spearfish on the scoreboard. The kick was good and the Spartans led 7-0.
Sturgis answered with their own nine play, 74-yard drive late in the first quarter. Scooper quarterback Owen Cass ran the ball in from nine yards out and the kick was good with four seconds left in the quarter and the game was tied at 7-7.
The Spartans put together another long drive on their next series, moving the ball 75-yards in seven plays on the ground and through the air. Junior running back Bridger Niehaus finished the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run and the kick was good. Spearfish led 14-7 early in the second.
The Scoopers couldn’t move the ball throughout the second quarter and Spearfish got the ball back with a few minutes left before the half at midfield. Five plays later, Guthmiller found Brayden Delahoyde wide open in the end zone for a seven yard TD pass to extend the Spartan lead to 21-7 at the half.
The Scoopers came out with a renewed sense of urgency after the break and moved the ball into the red zone on their first drive but had to settle for a 31-yard field goal by Dominik Smith, which cut the Spearfish lead to 21-10. The Sturgis defense came up big on the next Spartan series, forcing a Spearfish punt. The Scoopers again drove the ball into the red zone to the Spearfish seven yard line but couldn’t score a touchdown. Smith split the uprights with a 25-yard field goal and Spearfish led Sturgis 21-13 with 2:15 left in the third quarter.
The Spartan offense sputtered early in the fourth and the Scooper defense shut the door again, forcing another Spearfish punt. Sturgis struck quickly, as Cass found Braden Temple wide open on the right sideline with a perfectly placed pass. Temple did the rest, breaking tackles and turning on the jets to score a 56-yard touchdown to get the Scoopers within two points, 21-19 with 9:15 left in the game. The two point conversion failed, as Cass was hit hard and stopped at the goal line.
The Scoopers had chances late but couldn’t convert as the Spartan defense bent but didn’t break, holding on for the 21-19 victory as Cass’ last second Hail Mary attempt was intercepted.
Sturgis (0-4) finished the night with 303 yards of total offense. Cass had 21 completions on 26 attempts for 227 yards and a touchdown. Temple caught eight balls for 105 yards and a touchdown. The Scoopers had 76 yards on the ground, led by Konner Berndt with 15 carries for 38 yards. Sturgis had 14 penalties for 130 yards and had three turnovers, one fumble and two interceptions.
Spearfish (1-3) had 322 total yards of offense with 187 yards through the air and 135 on the ground. Guthmiller was 15 of 21 passing, including a seven yard TD pass to Delahoyde, who caught six passes for 66 yards. Niehaus carried the ball 23 times for 118 yards and a touchdown. Spearfish had no turnovers and 11 penalties for 85 yards.
The Scoopers are in action next Friday at the Rushmore Bowl at O’Harra Stadium in Rapid City, where they will clash with Rapid City Stevens. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15pm
