Pierre defeated Huron 38-20 on Friday to win the Class 11AA state football championship. This is the second straight title for the Governors football program and the third overall.
Huron received to start the game, but strong defense from Pierre forced a quick three-and-out.
The Governors went 70-yards on their opening drive to score the first points of the game. Quarterback Garrett Stout found wide out Jack Maher for a 15-yard touchdown. This put Pierre ahead of Huron 7-0 with 5:39 to play in the opening quarter.
The Tigers next offensive drive fizzled out, much like their first, forcing another punt.
On Pierre’s next offense possession, a few big defensive plays set the Governors in a third and long situation. Stout then unleashed a bomb that was caught by wide out Andrew Coverdale for a 76-yard touchdown. The extra-point attempt missed the uprights, but at the 3:22 mark, Pierre led the Tigers 13-0.
End of the first quarter: Pierre 13 Huron 0
Huron got on the board in the early stages of the second quarter off of three big time throws by quarterback Jett McGirr. He found his target Danyon Huber off of deflection for a 10-yard touchdown. This made it a 13-7 game in favor of the Governors.
The next Pierre possession showed some early success, but stalled out near midfield. Huron then had a chance, but went three-and-out and had to punt. A favorable Tiger bounce would pin the Governors inside their own one-yard line.
Pierre created a little bit of space with their backs up against their own goal line, but it still led to them giving the ball back to Huron. Both teams then traded one more possession each as time expired in the half.
Halftime: Huron 14 Pierre 13
Defense for both squads looked strong to start the second half as the teams traded poor offensive possessions in the early stages.
The Governors would retake the lead with 2:55 to play in third quarter on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Stout. The two-point conversion failed, so it was 19-14, Pierre.
End of the third quarter: Pierre 19 Huron 14
Huron would follow up the Governors score with a three-and-out. On the next Pierre drive, Stout found Maguire Raske for a 22-yard touchdown connection. The extra-point was no good, and with 11:52 to play in the game it was a 25-14 lead for the Governors.
The Tigers would find the end zone a few plays later on a 52-yard heave from McGirr to Cooper Fryberger for a 52-yard score. After a missed two-point attempt, this made it a 25-20 ball game, Pierre lead, with 10:35 to play in the game.
At the 5:32 mark, the Governors got some insurance on another one-yard quarterback keeper by Stout. The extra-point was no good, but Pierre led the Tigers 31-20.
Devastation poured down on Huron’s next drive. Coverdale intercepted a McGirr pass, which led to yet another one-yard quarterback keeper by Stout to put Pierre up 38-20 with 1:05 remaining.
Final: Pierre 38 Huron 20
Joe Robbie MVP: Garrett Stout (Pierre)
Outstanding Lineman: Grey Zabel (Pierre)
Outstanding Back: Garrett Stout (Pierre)
