The Dell Rapids Quarriers completed a perfect 2022 football season with a 24-7 win over the West Central Trojans in the 11A Championship game on Friday, November 11th. The win marks the sixth championship in 14 years with titles coming in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, and now 2022.
After both teams had miscues in their opening drives, the Quarriers settled into the flow of the game and dominated the rest of the way. Dell Rapids took advantage of a low snap on a Trojan punt attempt. Three players later Jack Henry scored on a 21-yard run with 7:45 to go in the opening quarter. The score remained 6-0 in favor of Dell Rapids at the end of the first quarter.
About midway through the second quarter, the Dell Rapids defense got an interception by Chase Jones on the West Central 34-yard line. The Quarrier offense capitalized as Henry scored again on a 15-yard touchdown run with 3:25 to play in the half. The Quarriers got the ball back late in the second quarter on an interception by Mason Stubbe. The Quarriers had the ball on the Trojan four-yard line on fourth down, but the Trojan defense stopped Henry just short of the end zone for a turnover on downs. West Central ran out the clock to end the first half, and Dell Rapids led 12-0 at halftime.
Neither offense was able to a score in the third quarter, and Dell Rapids continued to lead 12-0 heading into the fourth quarter. The Quarriers took nearly half of the fourth quarter on a drive that ended on a Stubbe six-yard touchdown run. Dell Rapids led 18-0 with 6:42 to play in the game.
West Central got their lone score in quick fashion. The Trojans scored on an 11-yard touchdown pass with 5:01 to go. The extra point was good, and West Central cut the lead to 18-7. After a failed onside kick by West Central, Dell Rapids left no doubt as to who was going to win the game. Brayden Pankonen scored on a two-yard run with 1:42 to play to make the score 24-7. Braden Fersdahl sealed the victory with an interception that allowed the Quarriers to run out the clock for the win.
The Quarriers finished with 306 yards of total offense, 188 passing yards and 118 rushing yards. The defense held West Central to just 95 yards of offense, 67 passing yards and 28 rushing yards.
Henry was 11-17 passing for 188 yards and an interception. Pankonen had seven catches for 127 yards. Fersdahl had a catch for 33 yards, and Stubbe had three catches for 28 yards. Henry also finished with 15 carries for 64 yards and two touchdowns. Stubbe had 19 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown. Pankonen added seven carries for eight yards and a touchdown.
Aiden Geraets had six tackles. Stubbe finished with 5.5 tackles. Treyse Eastman had 4.5 tackles. Jones finished with 3.5 tackles. Will Jaton had three tackles. Stubbe, Pankonen, and Fersdahl all had an interception.
Treyse Eastman was named the Outstanding Lineman of the game. Jack Henry was named the Outstanding Back and Joe Robbie Player of the Game.
