PIERRE – For the second straight game, a first half offensive onslaught by the Pierre Governors took the drama out of the game by halftime.
Pierre scored on seven of their eight first-half possessions on Friday on their way to a 49-point halftime lead and a 49-26 win over Spearfish in the first round of the 11AA playoffs at Hollister Field at Phil Trautner Stadium.
Cade Kaiser threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score. George Stalley had two touchdown receptions for the Governors (9-1). Jett Zabel had one touchdown rushing and another receiving.
After Trey Lewis ran back the opening kickoff 81 yards, Zabel had Pierre’s first touchdown on fourth down on a one-yard run just 1:45 into the game.
Spearfish (4-6) punted, then Pierre scored in only three plays, the third being a 43-yard scoring pass from Lewis to Stalley.
Spearfish again punted, Pierre lost a fumble, and then Spearfish again was held to a punt and Pierre led 14-0 at the end of one quarter.
Pierre then took the first 3:45 of the second quarter with their third scoring drive, culminating in a five-yard touchdown run by Lewis.
The Spartans’ next possession ended in a punt block by Lucas Chamberlin and a recovery by Titian Winkler at the Spearfish 10 yard line. Pierre took a 28-0 lead on the next play, a 10-yard touchdown pass from Kaiser to Tyan Buus.
Evan Wilson fumbled away the ensuing kickoff for Spearfish and the Governors’ Max Hunsley recovered the fumble. Three plays later, Kaiser scored on a 16-yard keeper and Pierre led 35-0.
Spearfish quarterback Seth Hamilton was sacked for a 27-yard loss by Pierre’s Lucas Colman on the Spartans’ next possession, leading to a short punt and a 15-yard return by Lewis. The Governors then scored in only two plays, finishing with a six-yard scoring pass from Kaiser to Zabel.
After another Spearfish punt, Pierre scored their final points on the last play of the first half on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Kaiser to Stalley.
Spearfish scored all their points in the second half, when Pierre removed all its starters. Hamilton threw four touchdown passes, two to Kade Vavruska and one each to Graham Hughes and Karsen Seyer.
Kaiser was 11-of-14 passing for 179 yards and rushed six times for 88 yards. Zabel had four catches for 60 yards. Cooper Terwilliger caught three passes for 29 yards. Stalley had two catches for 72 yards.
Ryann Berry made all seven of her extra point kicks.
Colter Babcock and Emmit Andersen each had three tackles. Greyson Schuetzle recorded a sack.
Pierre will host Watertown on Friday in the 11AA semifinal, with the winner earning a spot in the 11AA championship game on November 10. Coverage will begin Friday at 5:25 PM on River 92.7 and the River 92.7 page at the DRG News app & drgnews.com.
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