It was a rematch for the championship in Class 11AAA this season. However, this time it was a different team hoisting the top hardware. Brandon Valley defeated Sioux Falls Lincoln 34-27 on Saturday night in Vermillion at the Dakota Dome to win the title.
It was a back-and-forth battle from start to finish. Both teams, with much different styles, worked their offenses well during the contest. At the end, it was a defensive stop by the Lynx that was the difference in the end.
“We were so close. We had like five near stops, but [Lincoln’s] so good, they just kept coming,” said Lynx head coach Matt Christensen. “But when we finally got it done, it was really awesome. It was a great team win where our defense played great football and then clutch when we needed it. The offense was incredible, what a great bunch of leaders we’ve got.”
Brandon Valley got the ball to start the game, but it began deep in their territory after a wonky bounce on the kickoff. Levi Veskrna quickly got the Lynx onto the other side of the field when he broke free for a 64-yard burst on the ground. A few plays later, Veskrna plowed into the end zone from two yards out to give Brandon Valley the lead at 7-0 midway through the first quarter.
Lincoln would answer back on their first possession on offense. They went 94-yards in 14 plays, capped off with a nine-yard passing touchdown from Brody Schafer to Everett Starks.
End of the 1st Quarter | Brandon Valley 7 Sioux Falls Lincoln 7
With 7:44 to play in the half, the Lynx retook the lead. Veskrna scored for the second time in the half with a six-yard run. That drive went 69-yards over the course of 15 plays and used nearly seven-minutes on the clock.
Schafer showed off the explosiveness with his legs on the Patriots second drive of the game. He broke free down the far sideline for a 48-yard touchdown. This made it a 14-14 ball game with 6:18 to play in the half.
The Lynx answered right back less than a minute later as Ryder Mueller broke loose on a 55-yard touchdown run. Isaac Mitzel’s point after attempt was no good keeping the Lynx lead at six-points.
At the 1:19 mark of the second quarter, Schafer took a shot to the end zone to Louison Akossi, but it was intercepted by Nolan Pudwill for a Lynx touchback. From there, Brandon Valley ran out the clock and the teams headed for the locker room.
Halftime | Brandon Valley 20 Sioux Falls Lincoln 14
It took Lincoln around three-minutes into the third quarter to take the lead. Schafer hit Michael Roche for a 32-yard strike to get close to the end zone, and then on the next play Schafer took it in himself from one-yard away. This gave the Patriots their first lead of the game at 21-20.
Brandon Valley would retake the lead on their first drive of the second half. Veskerna ran it in from 18-yards out. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, but the lynx still held onto a 26-21 advantage.
End of the 3rd Quarter | Brandon Valley 26 Sioux Falls Lincoln 21
Just over a minute into the fourth quarter, Schafer hit Akossi for a five-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good, keeping it just a one-point lead for Lincoln at 27-26.
With 5:38 to play in the game, Briggs Knutson scored from five yards out. The two-point conversion was good as well giving Brandon Valley a seven-point lead.
Following the Lynx score, Lincoln went to work. They drove the ball deep into Brandon Valley territory but turned it over on downs courtesy of a fourth down tackle by Gavin Johnson on Schafer.
The Lynx then kept the ball on the ground, forced Lincoln to use their timeouts, and eventually ran out the clock.
Final | Brandon Valley 34 Sioux Falls Lincoln 27
Brandon Valley was led by Levi Veskrna, who ran for 260-yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Sioux Falls Lincoln’s top performer was Brody Schafer, who threw for 244 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He also ran for 138-yards and two touchdowns.
For Brandon Valley, this is their third state championship in 11AAA. It’s also the first for the Lynx with Coach Christensen as the head coach.
“We’re really emotional about it, but we’re just proud, just flat out proud. Because all the time and effort goes into it,” told Christensen. “When it pays off it’s nice. We’re just thrilled for the kids that they’ll never forget it. They’ve earned it and our players deserve all the credit.”
Brandon Valley has now won three state titles in 11A, 11AA, and 11AAA.
Joe Robbie MVP | Levi Veskrna (Brandon Valley)
Outstanding Lineman | Hudson Parliament (Brandon Valley
Outstanding Back | Levi Veskrna (Brandon Valley)
