The Dell Rapids Quarriers fell in a heart-breaker to the Lennox Orioles in the 11A Semifinals on Friday, November 7th. The Orioles scored a touchdown late in the game to help them to a 15-14 win to advance to the championship game.
Both defenses held strong throughout the game. The Quarriers got on the board first with :54 remaining in the opening quarter. Drake Eastman connected with Karson Paye on a 28-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was no good, but the Quarriers led 6-0. Lennox took the lead, 7-6, with 7:14 to play in the second quarter on a six-yard run and made extra point. The Dell Rapids defense gave the lead back to the Quarriers in the closing seconds of the first half. Paye had a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown to put the Quarriers ahead 12-7 going into halftime.
Neither team was able to get a score on the board in the third quarter though Dell Rapids had a couple of opportunities to extend the lead. The Orioles were able to get a go-ahead scoring drive put together midway through the fourth quarter. Lennox took the lead with 5:46 to play on an eight-yard run. They added a two-point conversion to make the score 15-12.
Dell Rapids put together a drive late in the game and got into Lennox territory. They Quarriers lined up for a game-tying 37-yard field goal with a little over 1:30 to play. The field goal attempt was partially blocked and no good. The Orioles were able to run out the clock with them running out of the back of the end zone for a safety as the final play of the game.
The Quarriers had 163 yard of total offense, 92 rushing yards and 71 passing yards. Lennox finished with 217 yards of offense, 104 rushing yards and 113 passing yards. Dell Rapids was 2-14 on third down, but 4-4 on fourth down attempts. Lennox was 4-12 on third down and just 1-5 on fourth down.
Eastman was 6-12 passing for 71 yards and a touchdown. Paye had four catches for 61 yards and a touchdown. Ryan Stubbe finished with 19 carries for 80 yards. Jace Brende had eight tackles. Ryan Baker finished with 7.5 tackles. Kenny Swanson had 3.5 tackles. Carson Maeschen and Bem Veldkamp each had three tackles. Paye two tackles and an interception.
Dell Rapids finished the 2025 season with a 7-4 overall record.
