<\/p>\n
The Dell Rapids Quarriers defeated the Madison Bulldogs 12-7 in the South Dakota High School 11A Football Championship on Thursday, November 13th, at the Dakota Dome in Vermillion.<\/p>\n
Dell Rapids started the game off with a bang as Riley Schmidt ran the opening kick-off back for an 81-yard touchdown to give the Quarriers an early 6-0 lead.\u00a0 The defenses for both teams dominated the first quarter of play.\u00a0 Both Madison and Dell Rapids combined for a total of four punts in the quarter, and Dell Rapids held a 6-0 lead after the first quarter.<\/p>\n
After a Jase Nelson pass was intercepted by Matthew Palli, the Bulldogs had the ball with a 4th and 10 from the Quarrier 20-yard line.\u00a0 Bradyen Gilbert lined up for a 37-yard field goal, but pushed it wide left, and Dell Rapids continued to lead 6-0 with 10:07 left in the half.\u00a0 Dell Rapids then held the ball for nearly six minutes on the ensuing drive and took the ball to the Madison 8-yard line.\u00a0 The Quarriers attempted a pass in the endzone on 4th and goal, but the pass was broken up by Brady Balogh giving Madison the ball back with 4:16 left in the half.\u00a0 The Bulldogs were able to move the ball into Dell Rapids territory, but were forced into a 4th and goal from the Dell Rapids 12-yard line.\u00a0 Gilbert set up for another field goal, this time from 29 yards, but Austin Eulberg was able to block the kick to keep Madison off the scoreboard.\u00a0 The Quarriers took a 6-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.<\/p>\n
Madison received the kickoff to start the third quarter and drove the ball to the Dell Rapids 45-yard line.\u00a0 On 1st and 10, Mitch Hansen fumbled the ball, and Ben Gillogly recovered for Dell Rapids.\u00a0 On the very next play, Schmidt ran the ball 54 yards for a touchdown to increase the Dell Rapids lead to 12-0.\u00a0 Madison was able to answer on their next drive.\u00a0 Hansen connected with Carter Kasuske for a 71-yard touchdown pass with 7:01 left in the quarter to make the score 12-7.\u00a0 The Bulldogs were then able to execute a successful onside kick to get the ball back, but the Quarrier defense forced a turnover on downs after tackling Hansen for a two yard loss on 4th and 4 from the Dell Rapids 18-yard line.\u00a0 The Quarriers led 12-7 at the end of the third quarter.<\/p>\n
The first three combined possessions in the fourth quarter ended in punts as the defenses did not allow the offenses to get going.\u00a0 With 6:15 to go in the game, Gillogly intercepted a pass at the Madison 11-yard line.\u00a0 However the Bulldog defense got the ball back on a turnover on downs as Schmidt was stopped short of the endzone on 4th and goal.\u00a0 The following Bulldog drive ended on a turnover on downs after back-up quarterback Josh Giles was saked at the Madison 43-yard line.\u00a0 Madison forced Dell Rapids to punt yet again, and the Bulldogs had one last chance with :11 to go in the game.\u00a0 Giles and the Bulldogs were able to run two plays, but both plays were incomplete passes giving the Quarriers the win.<\/p>\n
Schmidt finished the game with 20 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown.\u00a0 Keegan Hemenway had six carries for 26 yards, and Tanner Ljunggren had six carries for 18 yards.\u00a0 Nelson finished 5-11 with 93 yards and two interceptions.\u00a0 Schmidt also had two receptions for 51 yards.\u00a0 Gillogly anchored the defense with 15 tackles, one fumble recovery, and one interception.\u00a0 Seth Anderson added 12 tackles and three sacks.\u00a0 Schmidt finished with nine tackles, and Nate McKee added eight tackles.<\/p>\n
Dell Rapids earned their 5th 11A football title in the last seven years.\u00a0 Griffin Ellison was named the SD Coaches Association Outstanding Lineman in the game.\u00a0 Schmidt earned the SD Coaches Association Outstanding Back award and the SD Sports Writers “Joe Robbie” MVP award.<\/p>\n
Dell Rapids final record was 11-1.<\/p>\n
![\"2014DRHSFootballChampionship_24\"](\"http:\/\/bigsiouxmedia.com\/bsm-sports\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2014DRHSFootballChampionship_24.jpg\")
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