The Dell Rapids Quarriers scored 22 unanswered points in the second quarter in a 44-26 win over the Sioux Falls Christian Chargers in the 11A semifinals on Friday, November 4th.
Dell Rapids scored first on their opening drive of the game. Jack Henry completed an 18-yard touchdown pass to Brayden Pankonen with 8:00 to giving the Quarriers an early 6-0 lead. The Chargers responded with 4:08 to play in the quarter on a four-yard touchdown run by Brayden Witte. The extra point made by Jacob Docter gave Sioux Falls Christian a 7-6 lead.
The Chargers added to the lead in the first couple of plays in the second quarter. With 11:24 to go in the half, Witte scored again on a four-yard run. The extra point was no good, and Sioux Falls Christian led 13-6. Henry threw his second touchdown pass of the night just two minutes later. With 9:27 to go, Henry found Camden Justice for a 36-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good, and the Charger lead was cut to 13-12.
Momentum seemed to all shift to Dell Rapids moments later. Braden Fersdahl had an interception with 8:11 in the quarter. Dell Rapids scored on the next drive. Pankonen had a two-yard touchdown run with 4:48 to go. The two-point conversion was made, and Dell Rapids took the lead 20-13. The Quarriers got one more score before halftime when Mason Stubbe scored on an eight-yard run. Stubbe also scored the two-point conversion to push the lead to 28-13.
Sioux Falls Christian had the only score of the third quarter. Witte scored for the third time with 3:34 to go on an eight-yard run. The extra point was good to make the score 28-20. The Quarriers were able to extend the lead again after Stubbe scored on a 15-yard run with 11:42 to play in the game. Another two-point conversion made the score 36-20. The Quarriers looked to be in control after getting the ball back and driving deep into Charger territory, but Johnny Skyberg recovered a fumble and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown with 8:26 to play. Dell Rapids stopped the two-point conversion keeping the lead 36-26. Stubbe scored one more time on a 30-yard run with 6:10 to play in the game.
The Quarriers had 515 yards of total offense, 406 rushing yards and 109 passing yards. Sioux Falls Christian finished with 253 yards of total offense, 191 rushing yards and 62 passing yards.
Henry was 6-13 passing for 109 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Justice had four catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. Pankonen finished with two catches for 29 yards and a touchdown. Stubbe had 23 carries for 164 yards and three touchdowns. Henry also finished with 14 carries for 153 yards. Sutton Williams added three carries for 49 yards.
Aiden Geraets had seven tackles to lead the team. Pankonen had 6.5 tackles and an interception. Cole Ruesink had 4.5 tackles and an interception. Will Jaton also had 4.5 tackles. Chase Jones and Fersdahl also each had an interception. Quinn Carr had three tackles and a sack. Treyse Eastman had 3.5 tackles.
Dell Rapids will play West Central in the 11A championship game on Friday, November 11th at 7:30 p.m. in Vermillion.
