PIERRE – Scoring four touchdowns off turnovers, the Pierre Governors used big plays for their first win of 2021, holding off the Mitchell Kernels Friday 35-20 at Hollister Field at Phil Trautner Stadium.
Lincoln Kienholz threw for four touchdowns and was 15 of 25 for 262 yards. Jack Merkwan had two touchdowns for both of his receptions. Matthew Hanson and Cade Kaiser also had touchdown catches.
After Mitchell lost a fumble in its first possession and the Governors lost a fumble on their first play from scrimmage, Mitchell again lost the ball by fumble to set up Pierre’s first score, a 39-yard touchdown pass from Kienholz to Hanson with 5:07 left in the first quarter. The Kernels drove 80 yards and took five minutes to score on the succeeding drive, ending with a two-yard run by Josh Grosdidier.
Kienholz intercepted a pass by Mitchell quarterback Trey Schulz early in the second quarter, and then ended a four-play scoring drive with a 27-yard touchdown strike to Kaiser.
On Mitchell’s next time with the ball, Pierre’s Dre Berndt sacked Schulz, who then lost a fumble. The Governors (1-1) scored with a seven-play drive, ending with a 45-yard score from Kienholz to Merkwan, and Pierre led 21-7, which was the halftime lead.
About midway through the third quarter, Kienholz found Merkwan again for a 52-yard touchdown pass.
Pierre’s final points came on the ensuing Mitchell possession. Lukas Bennett caught a pass, but the Governors’ Jayden Wiebe forced the ball loose and Austin Foley scooped it up and ran 35 yards for a touchdown.
Mitchell (0-1) scored six on a Tucker Vilhauer seven-yard rush on the last play of the third quarter and on a 76-yard pass from Schulz to Jagger Tyler in the fourth quarter.
Pierre will host Sturgis on Saturday, September 11. Coverage will begin at 6:30 on The Official Voice of the Pierre Governors, River 92.7. Live and archived video will be available on the River 92.7 page at the DRG News app and at drgnews.com.
Comments