In what was their final game as a co-op, Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy ended it on top as champions in 9AA. The Phoenix defeated Elkton-Lake Benton 46-22 on Thursday evening in Vermillion at the Dakota Dome to win the title.
It was a back-and-forth game through the first quarter, but for the remainder of the game it was all Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy.
“This is real special. Six years ago, we were here in junior football,” explained Phoenix head coach Dustin Tschetter. “We won a junior football title with these seniors right here, so we talked about coming back here to finish this journey and now to see us finish it is pretty special.”
The Phoenix got the opening possession of the game. On the first play from scrimmage, Riley Tschetter hit Luke Peters in the flat for a 73-yard catch and run touchdown. The two-point conversion was good to give Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy an early 8-0 lead.
Elkton-Lake Benton also scored on their first offensive possession of the game. Near midfield, Colt Beck hit Myles Poindexter down the middle for a 49-yard score. With 7:47 to play in the opening quarter, the Phoenix still led 8-7.
Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy answered right back with another big play from the arm of Tschetter. This time he hit wide receiver David Walter in stride for a 45-yard strike down the sideline.
With 3:46 to play in the first quarter, the Elks got back into the end zone, this time with the legs of Beck, who took it in from 23-yards out. The extra point was good to make it a 16-14 game.
End of the 1st Quarter | Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy 16 Elkton-Lake Benton 14
Two plays into the second quarter, Tschetter hit Tate Sorensen for a 21-yard touchdown connection. This time the Phoenix opted to kick the extra point, which was good. This made it a nine-point lead for Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy.
The Phoenix would get the ball back when Tayden Kerrigan jumped in front of a Beck pass for an interception. Three plays later, Peters hit the edge for a six-yard score. Midway through the second quarter it was a 29-14 lead for the Phoenix.
Elkton-Lake Benton would go three-and-out on their next offensive drive and were forced to punt it away.
Peters would find the end zone again for Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy, this time from four-yards away to extend the Phoenix lead margin to 23-points.
Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy got the ball back a few plays later as Tschetter stripped the ball from Beck on a carry, which was recovered by Jackson Donlan. A holding call backed up the Phoenix offense following the turnover leading to a punt.
Halftime | Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy 37 Elkton-Lake Benton 14
Both offenses started slow in the second half – struggling to find a rhythm. Elkton-Lake Benton had a pair of turnover on downs, while the Phoenix opted to punt.
Tschetter would find the end zone with his legs at the 3:27 mark of the third quarter with a two-yard run to extend Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy’s lead to 43-14.
End of the 3rd Quarter | Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy 43 Elkton-Lake Benton 14
The Phoenix put together an eleven-play scoring drive to extend their lead in the fourth quarter, only this time it was courtesy of a 35-yard field goal by Kerrigan.
Elkton-Lake Benton did find the end zone near the five-minute mark of the final period with an eleven-yard run to the pylon by Beck.
Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy then pulled their starters. The Elks got the ball back one final time in the game, but they were unsuccessful with garnering any more points.
Final | Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy 46 Elkton-Lake Benton 22
Riley Tschetter was named the Joe Robbie MVP for his efforts in the win for the Phoenix. He finished with 315 yards of passing and three passing touchdowns. He also ran for 37-yards and a score as well.
“We all go to work every day. This has been bubbling up from four years ago when we first started this program,” told Riley Tschetter. “A lot of us seniors this year started as freshman on that team, so that’s where we got that motivation to come here and do this with this team.”
Riley and Dustin Tschetter are a father-son duo. For coach Tschetter, this is a special moment for him.
“Very emotional on the bus ride over. It’s his last game,” said the Phoenix coach. “To go out on top, [Riley] is one of the best quarterbacks in the state, no doubt about it – great competitor.”
This is the first state championship for the Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy co-op. In total, it’s the ninth state championship for Freeman, who have won five by themselves and three during their stint with the Canistota co-op.
Outstanding Lineman | Tate Sorensen (FMFA)
Outstanding Back | Luke Peters (FMFA)
Joe Robbie MVP | Riley Tschetter (FMFA)
