It was a rematch from a year ago, but with a different result. Sioux Falls Christian held on late to defeat Lennox 28-24 in the 2025 11A game.
Lennox was white hot in the first quarter scoring 17 unanswered points, but then in the second quarter the Chargers bounced back to cut it to three-points before the break. The fourth quarter saw multiple momentum swings, but when the dust settled it was Sioux Falls Christian who made the last big stop at the end to clinch the title.
“Lennox is a great team. They gave us everything. I’d like to say I wouldn’t have it any other way, but that would be a lie,” said Sioux Falls Christian head coach Jared Smith. “I would rather to not have to do that again, but that was an amazing finish. Our players, go be a hero.”
The Chargers got the ball to start the game but quickly stalled out and turned it over on downs inside their own 35-yard line. This gave Lennox great field position for their opening offensive possession.
Jhaimann Huntington got the Orioles on the board when he connected with Drake Mikkelsen for a 20-yard touchdown. A great 7-0 start for the defending state champs.
On Sioux Falls Christian’s second drive, a penalty backed them up and forced the Chargers into a third and long. Cooper Strande attempted a pass to the sideline to Brant Wassenaar, but it was jumped by Cole Spieler for an interception.
Faced with a fourth down, Huntington hit Ramsey Williams on a 16-yard screen to pick up a first down. A few plays later Huntington hit Mikkelsen for a 21-yard touchdown – the duos second score of the quarter.
The Chargers next play on offense ended is disaster as Jensen Pixler was stripped by Jevyn Lefers, recovered by Tate Gerdes, to give the Orioles another short field to work with on offense.
On the final play of the first quarter, Cloy McVey hit a 32-yard field goal to give Lennox a three-score lead.
End of the 1st Quarter | Lennox 17 Sioux Falls Christian 0
On the first play of Sioux Falls Christian’s next drive, Strande hit Wassenaar for a 39-yard gain to give the Chargers a much-needed big play on offense. The drive came to a halt from there and then Dawson Unruh came up short on a 42-yard field goal to keep Sioux Falls Christian scoreless.
Lennox follow up the missed field goal with a three-and-out – quickly punting the ball way to put the Chargers offense back on the field. Strande then brought the ball into Orioles territory off a 29-yard quarterback run. Two Lennox personal foul penalties moved Sioux Falls Christian deep into the oppositions zone. A few plays later, Canyon Prins took it in from two yards out to put the Chargers on the board.
Both offenses went into a bit of a down sequence. Lennox had a couple three-and-outs with Sioux Falls Christian having one too. The Chargers were able to get the ball back with just under two-minutes to play in the half. It was a chance to make it a one-score game.
Pixler would then run it in from four-yards out, which cut the Lennox lead down to just three-points.
Halftime | Lennox 17 Sioux Falls Christian 14
The Orioles got the ball to start the second half. A pass interference on Wassenaar kept the drive moving for Lennox, and then a few plays later Huntington kept it himself for six-yard touchdown run.
Lennox’s defense then came up big forcing a three-and-out, giving an opportunity back to their offense. But then it was Sioux Falls Christian’s turn to make a play on defense. Jade Spronk intercepted a Huntington pass to give the Chargers offense great field position in a ten-point game.
On the first play after the turnover, Strande hit Nocholas Popkes down the middle for a 45-yard touchdown. It was a 24-21 game in favor of Lennox with 5:46 to play in the third quarter.
The Orioles once again found their offense a little sluggish on their next drive following the Chargers touchdown. They had to punt it away, but it did pin Sioux Falls Christian deep in their own territory. Penalties plagued the Chargers after the punt, forcing a punt of their own.
End of the 3rd Quarter | Lennox 24 Sioux Falls Christian 21
Lennox went to work on offense and moved the ball inside the Chargers five-yard line, but the Sioux Falls Christian defense would hold up forcing a turnover on downs. The Chargers then went to work and put together their best drive of the game. They went 98-yards, which was finished by Canyon Prins to Jude Prins for 45-yard touchdown. This gave Sioux Falls Christian their first lead of the game midway through the fourth quarter at 28-24.
The Orioles, needing to put something together, were halted near midfield on their next drive. But they did get it back one more time with a chance to go win the game at the two-minutes mark
Lennox began to move the ball down field. Huntington hit Mikkelsen on a fourth down for 23-yards and then Spronk for another 23-yards to get into the red zone. Faced with a fourth down, Huntington threw a pass over the middle to Mikkelsen, but it was just out of his reach. Sioux Falls Christian then went to victory formation.
Final | Sioux Falls Christian 28 Lennox 24
Canyon Prins was named the outstanding back and Joe Robbie MVP for his performance in the win. He ran for a touchdown on 15-yards, threw for a 45-yard touchdown, and added 40-yards receiving to his stats on the day as well.
“We’re a family, we just play for each other,” said Prins. “I’ve been playing with most of those guys since preschool and then into tackle football, it’s just been amazing.”
This is the third state championship for the Sioux Falls Christian football program, but first in the Jared Smith era. After losing in the title game last year, the Chargers can celebrate a perfect record and a season of redemption completed.
“First of all, I want to give all the glory to God, we’ve had a lot of lessons,” explained coach Smith. “We’re a long way away from 3-6 that first year, God was good then. Last year when we lost the state championship, God was good, and when you’re 12-0 God is good. That’s something that we preach at our school.”
Outstanding Back | Canyon Prins (SF Christian)
Outstanding Lineman | Nicholas Popkes (SF Christian)
Joe Robbie MVP | Canyon Prins (SF Christian)
