Stanley County knew unforced errors was a big part of their loss a week ago, so cleaning those up would be a major key if they were to close out the regular season with an upset win at home against Kimball-White Lake. Both teams knew coming into Friday night there would be postseason football to be played next week, so putting a good performance out on the field was important for both coaches.
The 4-3 Wildkats hung 51 on Burke the week prior, so they were moving with confidence coming into Fort Pierre, and that confidence came through to the tune of two touchdowns early to put themselves up by 14 in the first half. However, the 2-5 Buffaloes remained scrappy and drove the length of the field while converting multiple fourth downs with long passes from Bryant Zeeb to Carson Bourne and Joe Malm. After a 4th and 14 conversion, Zeeb would roll and drop a perfect pass in the bucket for Jack Deal who performed a tight-rope act in the corner of the endzone for the Buffaloes first touchdown at home since August.
The Wildkats would turn it over after an effort play from Joe Malm forced a fumble inside the red zone, but they would get it right back on a sack fumble and score the very next play.
Another nice drive from the Buffaloes would cut the deficit to 10 when Carson Bourne would deliver a beautiful onside kick to open up the second half that was recovered by Jeff Knight. Bourne would then be on the receiving end of a perfect back-shoulder pass that got Stanley County down to the one-yard line. Bourne would take it in two plays later on a jet-sweep to again bring the Buffaloes within striking distance.
The Wildkats would prove to be too tough, however, and on the back of five touchdowns from Chevy Fees would go on to win 49-18.
Stanley County will go on the road to Hamlin next week for the first round of the 9AA playoffs.
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