ABERDEEN – For the seventh straight year, the Pierre Governor football team entered their season with a proverbial target on their backs as reigning State 11AA Champions. Their first game Saturday night wasn’t easy, but they were able to secure a 20-14 win at Aberdeen Central against the Golden Eagles. The Eagles struck first with a minute left in the first quarter on a 15-yard scoring pass from Brenner Waldrop to Colby Dauwen, but the Governors countered with touchdowns on their next three possessions through the second quarter and led 20-7 at halftime. Trevor Rounds scored from a yard out to make it 7-6, as the point-after kick was blocked, but then junior quarterback Kaleb Lounsbury found tight end Cooper Terwilliger in the corner of the end zone for a 13-7 lead. The Govs scored a third touchdown in the two-minute drill as George Stalley ran it in from two yards out on the final play of the first half. The score held throughout the second half until Waldrop hit Dauwen again in the final two minutes of the game, as Aberdeen closed the gap to 20-14, but Pierre recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the season opening victory. Lounsbury completed 23 of 37 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown, with Terwilliger grabbing ten passes for 133 yards. Rounds tallied 72 yards on the ground to lead the offense. Linebacker Colter Babcock intercepted two passes and registered a key sack to end a Golden Eagle threat in the second half to lead a fine defensive effort. The Governors will host Huron in their home opener Friday at Phil Trautner Stadium at Hollister Field. The game will be broadcast on RIVER 92-7 FM with live video available at https://drgnews.com/river.
Recap and play-by-play by Brian Oakland
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